A Fulcrum to Leverage Advanced Research: GASE Center Launched

Transnational and transregional alliances for science engagement that are focused mainly on thematic studies are gaining traction in higher education and research communities worldwide. This trend reflects a growing interest in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration to expand the breadth of research efforts and more effectively address major challenges.

To that end, NTU and the Ministry of Science and Education (MOST) established the Center for Global Affairs and Science Engagement (GASE). The inauguration ceremony was held on November 14, attended by over one hundred academic leaders from 75 prestigious universities across 25 countries, including 45 presidents and vice presidents.

At the ceremony, MOST Minister Liang-Gee Chen (陳良基) expressed the hope that GASE would stir a new wave-front in Taiwan’s scientific research and innovation endeavors, by acting as an accelerator for engaging Taiwan in international cooperation and fostering the country’s innovative research in the global research community while effectively addressing key global challenges with Taiwan’s global partners. From a local perspective, it is anticipated that GASE will also support research growth and make meaningful societal impact.

Initiated by NTU, the concept of GASE was accepted by the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and National Taiwan Normal University – the three universities constituting the NTU System. This higher education alliance in northern Taiwan formed a preparatory planning task force for GASE, with an express purpose of building an accelerator to consolidate Taiwan’s presence into the global scientific research community.

This international collaboration framework could act as a fulcrum to leverage Taiwan’s existing advanced research programs to establish a robust, high-impact infrastructure. It is anticipated that this global cooperation mechanism will flourish and diversify to provide systematic guidance on Taiwan’s policy directions and resource deployment.

GASE consists of an international exchange channel and a global cooperation module to enable academicians and researchers in Taiwan and overseas to develop alliances among higher education institutions with the strongest research capacity, thus advancing Taiwan and NTU’s engagement in cutting-edge international research activities while nurturing and empowering local researchers.

This article is featured in No. 69 of NTU Highlights (December, 2018).