NSTC honors outgoing French Rep. Casabonne-Masonnave

2023/07/27

The National Science and Technology Council’s Science and Technology Profession Medal was conferred by Minister Wu Tsung-tsong on French Office in Taipei Director Jean-Francois Casabonne-Masonnave July 25 in recognition of his contribution to advancing bilateral ties.

Since taking office in September 2019, Casabonne-Masonnave has promoted collaboration between the two sides in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, software development and women’s technological entrepreneurship, among other innovative sectors, the NSTC said.
 
Two other salient examples of his work are promoting the YEi Program to assist Taiwan high-tech startups to participate in a free acceleration program in France and thus expand their presence in Europe; and the negotiation of a bilateral science and technology agreement, the council added.
 
Equally important, the NSTC said, is the outgoing representative’s initiation of exchanges with Taiwan government agencies, research organizations and businesses in key areas such as biomedicine, information security, quantum technology, renewable energy, talent cultivation and technological transfer.
 
At the ceremony, the minister expressed appreciation to Casabonne-Masonnave for facilitating a visit by an NSTC delegation to the EU member state last September. It is anticipated that the bilateral relationship will continue developing apace, he said.

In his acceptance speech, Casabonne-Masonnave said it has been a great honor to help expand partnership with Taiwan, which shares the same universal values of democracy, diversity and openness with France.
 
Praising Taiwan’s science and technology achievements and rich talent pool, the French official thanked the NSTC for helping set up an office for French Tech in Taiwan Tech Arena. The director has full confidence that his successor will continue to enhance the robust partnership. 


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)