This month, a delegation of Lithuanian researchers visited Taiwan's National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), other research institutions and science and technology centres to discuss bilateral cooperation and its development.
The delegation, led by Gintautas Jakštas, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania, included the Ministry's Director Jurga Strumskienė, President of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Jūras Banys, former Chairman of the Research Council of Lithuania Romas Baronas and professors from the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC): the VU LSC Director Daumantas Matulis, VU LSC Council Chairman Virginijus Šikšnys and Executive Director of the VU LSC EMBL Partnership Institute Gintaras Valinčius.
The country's researchers were invited to share their achievements and discuss opportunities for cooperation development.
"We aim to agree on the possibilities of expanding the cooperation between Lithuanian and Taiwanese sresearchers, which has been going on for two decades. We are looking for ways to strengthen research cooperation in laser physics, biotechnology and other areas of mutual interest, to expand the exchange of young researchers and other joint research cooperation projects," said Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sport G. Jakštas. The Lithuanian researchers visited Taiwan's research institutes, met with the heads of the Taiwan Science and Technology Centre, Academia Sinica, which unites 32 research institutes, and representatives of Taiwan's science parks and centres.
The Lithuanian delegation also visited NCKU. The delegation was hosted by President Meng-Ru Shen and discussed bilateral cooperation, including academic research, exchange programmes, talent development, and industry-university cooperation.
The official academic cooperation agreement was signed by Mr Ju-Ming Wang, Dean of the College of Biosciences and Biotechnology of NCKU, and Mr D. Matulis, Director of VU LSC. The cooperation includes research exchange programmes, student exchange programmes, academic research and other activities.
The Lithuanian delegation visited the NCKU Innovation Headquarters, where they were welcomed by Executive Vice President Woei-Jer Chuang.
During the visit to the NCKU Innovation Headquarters (IHQ), Executive Vice President Woei-Jer Chuang and IHQ leaders briefed the Lithuanian delegation on NCKU's achievements in the fields of patenting, technology transfer, industry-university cooperation and innovation. IHQ is responsible for industry-academia relations and provides one-stop services in the areas of patents, industry cooperation, technology transfer and innovation. IHQ has had more than 30 collaborating companies representing a wide range of industry members.
Deputy Minister G. Jakštas invited the leaders of the Taiwan Science and Technology Centre to participate in the Life Sciences Baltic international event in Lithuania at the end of September.
