NEWS | Oct 30, 2026
By Dr. Hsin-Fang Chang | ETAST Vice Chair
How can international networks support academic careers and help bring scientific discoveries into practice? These questions shaped a round table jointly organised by the European-Taiwanese Association for Science and Technology (ETAST) and Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) on 16 October 2026.
Held at KMU as a parallel session associated with the International Conference on BioMedicine (ICOBM) 2026, “Connecting Taiwan with Europe: Science, Academic Networks, and Translational Innovation” brought together researchers and professionals to discuss international cooperation, academic careers and research translation. The event was co-chaired by Dr. Hsin-Fang Chang, ETAST Vice Chair, and Prof. Chai-Lin Kao, KMU Vice President for Global Affairs, with organisational support from Dr. Cha-Hsuan Liu.
To learn more about the event programme:
https://eu-tw-sci-tech.org/etast-kmu-round-table/
Connecting research communities in Taiwan and Europe
Mr. Julian Goldmann, Head of Science and Technology at the German Institute Taipei, introduced Germany’s major research organisations, including the Max Planck Society, Fraunhofer Society, Leibniz Association and Helmholtz Association. He explained their distinct research profiles, from fundamental science to applied and industry-oriented research, helping participants identify potential partners suited to their research interests.
He also outlined opportunities for cooperation through university exchanges, German Research Foundation (DFG) and Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) funding for joint German–Taiwanese research projects and the Dragon Gate Programme (龍門計畫), which supports Taiwanese research teams undertaking research and training abroad. His presentation highlighted how finding suitable research partners and using existing funding and exchange programmes can strengthen Germany–Taiwan scientific cooperation.
Counselor Dr. Shoei-Long (Jonathan) Shieh shared experiences from his career promoting international scientific exchange, including his leadership of Taiwan’s science and technology offices in Australia, Czechia, Canada and Boston. Together, their contributions offered institutional and personal perspectives on connecting research communities across borders.
Academic careers in the Netherlands and Germany
Dr. Cha-Hsuan Liu and Dr. Hsin-Fang Chang shared their career paths and experiences of higher education in the Netherlands and Germany, respectively. Dr. Liu reflected on pursuing a PhD in the human sciences in the Netherlands, while Dr. Chang discussed her teaching experience in the Faculty of Medicine at Saarland University.
Their contributions offered personal perspectives on European academic life, covering both doctoral study and university teaching. These experiences prompted questions and discussion about academic environments and opportunities for researchers considering a career abroad.
Dr. Cha-Hsuan Liu shares her experiences of doctoral study and academic life in the Netherlands.
From biomedical research to innovation
Dr. Hsuan-Fang Hung introduced SPARK Taiwan, a programme that helps researchers translate biomedical discoveries into potential products through training, expert guidance and early-stage funding. Its support covers areas such as product development, regulatory requirements, intellectual property and business planning.
Drawing on comparisons with teams in the international SPARK network, she discussed the strengths of Taiwanese teams alongside the challenges they face in reaching global markets. She highlighted how financial constraints and challenges in developing international market strategies can limit teams’ visibility abroad, underscoring the importance of connecting promising research with international networks and market opportunities. Dr. Yun-Chi Lu complemented this perspective with her experience of building a biotechnology company from the ground up. She described how she presented its technology internationally to increase the company’s visibility and attract funding, illustrating the importance of reaching potential investors and partners beyond Taiwan.
Exchange and future connections
As organisers, we were pleased to see KMU faculty members and international students actively taking part in discussions and asking questions. Their appreciation of the speakers’ personal experiences and perspectives from different career stages and professional roles was particularly encouraging. It was also rewarding to see these exchanges continue informally, with participants asking speakers questions directly, sharing experiences and exploring potential connections.
Encouraged by the positive feedback, we are considering holding the round table annually at KMU, with different formats and topics across biomedicine. We hope future events will continue to provide a forum for sharing experiences, discussing career pathways and developing connections between Taiwan and Europe.
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