MOE honors U-start fund winners

2015-03-31

The 12 winners of the 2015 U-start college graduate entrepreneurship fund program organized by the Ministry of Education were honored March 24 in Taipei City, underscoring government efforts promoting new startups and innovation among young adults.

Selected from a 28-strong field, the recipients shared NT$5.2 million (US$167,741) in prize money and were praised for launching products and services characterized by advanced techniques, outstanding creativity and strong market potential.

Top spot went to a team from National Cheng Kung University, while second place was shared by two teams, respectively, from National Taiwan University and National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences.

“We applaud these young people for their ambition and hard work,” said Lo Ching-shui, director-general of the MOE Youth Development Administration. “Their achievements definitely deserve greater recognition and promotion.”

According to Lo, the winners were assisted in the final stage of completion for six months by business incubation centers at such schools as NCKU and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. “These academic-private sector partnerships confirm that the spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well on many of Taiwan’s tertiary campuses,” he said.

Although all of the recipients are equally praiseworthy, Lo said, the top team from NCKU in southern Taiwan’s Tainan City warrants mention. “Utilizing aesthetic elements of traditional Chinese embroidered shoes, the two-member team produced shoes combining silk-embroidered local cultural icons with modern styles.”

Also special is the day care center founded by the three-member NTUNHS team, Lo said. “The interior resembles a regular home, helping calm the nerves of children in a new environment.

“The wide array of indoor and outdoor educational activities on offer also appeals to parents seeking holistic education options.”

Established in 2009, the fund has supported 599 startup teams to date and is expected to remain a key plank in the MOE’s youth-orientated policymaking going forward.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=228863&CtNode=413)