NCP-Taiwan Bridging the technology R&D between EU and Taiwan

On September 1st (2008), the "national contact point of EU-FP, Taiwan office (NCP-Taiwan)” will officially open at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) funded by the National Science Council (NSC). The establishment of NCP-Taiwan will initiate the cooperation in technology research and development between Taiwan and the European Union (EU); this will be a new milestone in Taiwan. Cross-border cooperation will be beneficial and helpful for excellent R&D teams of both Taiwan and EU. By actively participating in the EU FP7 program, Taiwan can benefit from this world-class research program.

“The Seventh Research Framework Programme (EU-FP7)" is launched in 2007. EU-FP7 provides some advantages exclusively for EU’s Member States, such as a platform of integrating international technology development and the financial support. Except for members, if other countries intend to cooperate with the EU members countries, setting up a "National Contact Point (NCP) of EU framework program" will facilitate the participating at EU-FP7 for making use of this platform.

The technology research and development of every country and EU countries have been studied by NTUST which has already hired several experts who profoundly understand the EU technology development, academic system and cultural environment of the European Union. NTUST will work with National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) on the coordination of NCP-Taiwan office under the National Science Council. The major scopes of NCP-Taiwan are to closely coordinate with the "European Economic and Trade Office", to promote the "national program" and to provide assistance and support to local outstanding R&D teams and experienced research scholars for joining EU-FP7.

The first exclusive website of NCP-Taiwan will be placed on http://www.ncp-Taiwan.ntust.edu.tw. The information provided on this website will serve as the contact window which provides latest information of EU-FP7 and represents an international community actively assisting academic research units in Taiwan for participating at the EU-FP. In addition, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is appointed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to promote the "Bridging Taiwan’s Industry and European Innovation via Joint Research under EU-FP7" project. The domestic industries and academia will be supported by these two projects for entering international markets. Through this collaboration between Taiwan and EU, a new model of cooperation of science and technology can be created.

The government of Taiwan has heavily invested in projects on industrial R&D. As the result, the technological capability of Taiwan has been demonstrated to the world. Due to globalization, the cooperation model has become an important issue far beyond national and regional borders. EU also demonstrates noticeable strengths of technology research capability and faster economic growth by integrating research resources and technology experts. The scholars of Taiwan and EU have been cooperating together on few projects so far. Through participating at the EU-FP program, Taiwan and EU can share experiences with each other by collaborating on cross-border science and technological R&D, and thus expand cooperation range and establish a solid partnership in the future.

Having founded the "EU framework program", EU has set up 1262 "NCP of EU-FP " throughout the world since 1984, including mainland China, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other countries outside EU. Amongst all NCP’s, 233 are established according to different R&D areas. All NCP will function as a service center to connect the researchers between regions and the EU, and also explore benefits of complementary integration. The budget of Euro 53.2 billion will be maintained until 2013.

NCP –Taiwan project integrate R&D resources internationally

Academic research has become more and more important over the years in Taiwan. The cooperation between Europe and Taiwan on scientific and technological development has been greatly promoted by the government of Taiwan. Because of that, Taiwan’s science and technology research activities have been effectively connected with those European countries. The partnership between Taiwan and European countries has been reinforced. Since 2003, the R&D team of Taiwan has officially been participating at EU FP5, FP6 and FP7. The results are the 16 projects within the EU-FP, showing remarkable research output. However, the range of FP7 program is wide and huge, including its complex application system and the long review process. The necessity for setting up a service unit is essential, a service unit which can communicate with EU, match up projects and apply for EU-FP7 for industries and universities. With the opening of NCP-Taiwan today, it represents an important millstone in bridging EU’s and Taiwan’s scientific and technological R&D.