Red carpet rolled out for PhD tech talents eyeing Taiwan return

2017/04/20

A generous incentives-based program aimed at encouraging top Taiwan doctorate holders in the fields of science and technology to return home from abroad and share their knowledge and expertise was unveiled April 18 by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Under the Leaders in Future Trends program, 100 qualified candidates are eligible to each receive annual subsidies of NT$1.5 million (US$49,292), as well as accommodation and education for dependent children in the Hsinchu, Central and Southern Taiwan science parks. In return, the candidates—who must be under the age of 45, Republic of China (Taiwan) nationals and holders of a doctorate awarded by a foreign university—will participate in at least 10 sessions of exchanges and seminars per month mainly at the facilities.

According to the MOST, the sessions will allow locals to learn more about the latest global developments and trends, as well as serve as invaluable platforms for academics and business representatives to establish and/or strengthen collaborative networks.

Expected to begin accepting applications next month, LIFT is expected to spur R&D at the science parks and provide the high-tech talent necessary to realize the government’s goal of transforming Taiwan’s economy. At the heart of this process is the New Model for Economic Development and its NT$880 billion Forward-looking Infrastructure Program and five-plus-two innovative industries initiative. The latter covers the biotech and pharmaceuticals, green energy, national defense, smart machinery and Internet of Things sectors, as well as the circular economy and a new paradigm for agricultural development.

LIFT is just one of many MOST initiatives designed to deepen the Taiwan high-tech experience and talent pool. In February, the ministry launched the Learn, Explore, Aspire, Pioneer project, which provides funding this year for about 50 Taiwan doctorate holders to conduct research on innovative technologies at U.S. education institutions or explore startup business models in Silicon Valley.

According to a survey released last month by the MOST’s National Applied Research Laboratories, nearly one-third of doctorate holders in Taiwan are interested in working overseas in the next five years, with the top two destinations the U.S. and mainland China. A total 50.2 percent of under-35s are eyeing opportunities abroad, followed by 41.1 percent for the 35-40 age group and 36.1 percent for the 40-45 age group.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=6&post=114079)