Science and research cooperation with Taiwan

6 T A I W A N B u s i n e s s . E U l institutions l agencies Trends in Science and Research Cooperation with Taiwan Activities and exchanges in science and research have become one of the priorities in the cooperation with Taiwan. For this reason, a new specialist responsible for the enhancement of the science and technology cooperation, has started to work this January at the Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei. The Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Czech Science Foundation successfully cooperate with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and jointly support the participation of scientists and researchers in mobility projects. The exchange of know-how and sharing of best practices and working methods with the best local universities and research centres are the prerequisite for further development of cooperation and tangible results. In recent years, the partnership with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), which had produced many patents and helped transform the island into the innovation hub in Asia, has deepened. Researchers from the Czech Academy of special 2020 T + T Technika a trh Sciences highly appreciate the opportunity to acquire knowledge in a variety of fields in this institute, ranging from green technologies and renewable resources to biomedicine and biotechnologies. Memorandum between the Institute of Physics (CAS), ELI Beamlines and ITRI, signed in May 2020, initiated the collaboration in the radiotherapy and in the treatment of cancer, and consequently represents one of the successful achievements. Bilateral projects focusing on applied research, experimental development or innovation, are also supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, MOST and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. During the existence of programs DELTA 1 and 2, a total of 15 bilateral projects were funded. As regards this year´s DELTA Call, the number of submitted project proposals clearly demonstrates an upward trend. The numerous awards have proved a high quality of those projects and their outputs. For example, the jet air-weaving machine DIFA, which is the result of a partnership between VÚTS a.s. and the Taiwan Textile Research Institute, received the 2019 R&D 100 Award for innovation from R&D WORLD Magazine in the category of Mechanical/Materials. It is able to produce 3D distance fabrics, widely used in architecture, transportation, sport and leisure activities, or in emergency medical services.