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The 5th World Congress of Taiwan Studies (WCTS) will be held by Academia Sinica from May 21 to 23, 2025. This year, with the theme “Taiwan in a Changing World: Past, Present, and Future,” the triennial event will bring together scholars from over 30 countries to explore Taiwan’s transformations from diverse perspectives. Academia Sinica President James C. Liao noted that the WCTS, initiated by Academia Sinica, has over the past decade become the largest international academic event dedicated to Taiwan studies. With the Congress returning to Taiwan this year, all 12 Institutes and Research Centers within the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences are actively involved. There are expected to be over 750 participants— the highest number ever—demonstrating a growing global interest in Taiwan studies. Members of the public, including students, are encouraged to register and participate.

The International Peace Foundation (IPF) will collaborate with Taiwan to host the Taiwan Bridges Event Series (TAIWAN BRIDGES) in 2025. Academia Sinica is set to welcome 10 Nobel laureates between November 2025 and April 2026. These distinguished scholars will visit Taiwan to give lectures, engage in deep discussions with local academic community, and share their successful experiences in academic and cultural exchanges. Recently, IPF Chairman Uwe Morawetz visited Taiwan and discussed the details of the cooperation with Academia Sinica and several universities, officially launching the Taiwan Bridges Event Series.

The 33rd Taipei International Book Exhibition kicks off on February 4. Academia Sinica presents a special exhibition entitled “Treasures from the Shore: Exploring the Boundless Knowledge of the Ocean,” showcasing its research and inviting participants to explore the ocean of knowledge. James C. Liao, President of Academia Sinica, noted that the ocean is an important asset for Taiwan, offering abundant natural resources and influencing the culture. All three Divisions at Academia Sinica—Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences—are involved in marine research. Research findings are presented with creativity at the book exhibition, hoping to spark curiosity and the spirit of exploration.

Academia Sinica President James C. Liao announced on January 20th that a team of leading Taiwanese scholars from Academia Sinica, Ming Chi University of Technology, National Cheng Kung University, and National Tsing Hua University have developed next-generation solar cells with a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency exceeding 31%. This milestone, achieved in under two years, represents an over 30% improvement over the latest commercially available solar cells and a nearly 50% improvement over earlier solar devices. This breakthrough confirms Taiwan's ability to compete internationally in solar cell technology as well as generate green electricity without increasing demands on land usage.

In 2024, with the continuous expansion of AI applications and a rebound in global merchandise trade, the pace of recovery in the manufacturing sector remains uneven, resulting in moderate global economic growth. Domestically, Taiwan benefited from strong demand for emerging technologies, which bolstered exports and led to better-than-expected investment growth in the second half of the year. Consequently, Taiwan’s real GDP growth rate for the first three quarters reached 5.19%, inducing an upward revision of the economic growth forecast for 2024 to 4.23%, compared to the July estimate. Looking ahead to 2025, the rise of U.S. unilateralism and challenges in China's economic recovery remain critical variables for global trade and economic recovery, significantly influencing Taiwan's economic trajectory. However, the revival of demand for electronic products, coupled with expanding applications in high-speed computing and AI, as well as adjustments in Taiwan's trade policies, is expected to sustain investment momentum. The economic growth rate for 2025 is projected at 3.10%. Domestic and net external demand are estimated to contribute 2.62 and 0.48 percentage points, respectively, underscoring the role of domestic demand as the primary driver of economic growth.

The Awards Ceremony for the 13th Scholarly Monograph Award in the Humanities and Social Sciences was held on December 10 on the first floor of the Tsai Yuan-Pei Memorial Hall (Faculty Club), Academia Sinica. This year, five books were selected for the award, covering topics such as history, sociology, philosophy, and Chinese literature. It was our great pleasure to recognize this year’s award winners, whose thought-provoking books explored a vast range of ideas and challenged preexisting theoretical frameworks.

The Awards Ceremony for the 2024 Academia Sinica Early-Career Investigator Research Achievement Award was held on December 9 (Monday), hosted by Academia Sinica President James C. Liao. This year, five awardees were selected for the award: two from the Division of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, one from the Division of Life Sciences, and two from the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences. Each awardee will be given a medal, a prize of NT$300,000, and a research grant of NT$300,000.

Academia Sinica held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Quantum Technology Experimental Building on November 22, the third phase of its South Campus development. President James C. Liao emphasized that the advanced computing and communication security capabilities of quantum technology are essential for the future society, and that leading nations around the world are racing to invest in this field. Academia Sinica continues to establish state-of-the-art core facilities on the South Campus, attracting top domestic and international quantum research talent. The goal is to develop vertically integrated research from fundamental sciences to applications, positioning Taiwan to play a critical role in the global quantum technology landscape.

The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) held its annual meeting celebrating its 60th anniversary in late October 2024 at its headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. Academia Sinica President James C. Liao delivered the first keynote speech at the event, titled “Design of New Metabolism for Increasing Carbon Fixation,” where he presented his latest research and received considerable feedback from fellow scientists. During the event, President Liao signed the Associate Membership Agreement on behalf of Academia Sinica and the National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan with the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC) and EMBO, marking a significant milestone for scientific collaboration between Taiwan and Europe.

The opening ceremony for the Academia Sinica South Campus was held today (15), with President Lai Ching-Te, delivering a speech in person. Former Vice President Academician Chen Chien-Jen, along with Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-Che were present to witness the event. Academia Sinica President James C. Liao noted that, since deciding in 2012 to settle in Shalun, Tainan and after gaining the Executive Yuan’s approval in 2017 on the development plan, Academia Sinica has committed to build a campus centered on critical issues. The South Campus will facilitate the integration of basic research with practical applications and enable resource connections with the local academic community to conduct world-class innovative research.

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) held its plenary from September 23rd through the 25th, bringing together more than 60 scientists from around the world to explore science for sustainability and wellbeing in the Anthropocene. Academia Sinica President James C. Liao and Distinguished Research Fellow of the Genomics Research Center, Academician Dr. Chien-jen Chen, were invited to participate. President Liao presented his latest research, “Design and Evolution of New Metabolism for Greenhouse Gas Assimilation,” at the conference. This visit marks a new chapter in scientific exchanges between Taiwan and the Vatican.

Academia Sinica announced today (September 19, 2024) that Academician Chin-shing Huang, former Vice President in the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, has stepped down from his position due to health issues. Distinguished Research and Academician Shin-Kun Peng will be appointed as the new Vice President. The Secretary-General position, previously held by Academician Shin-Kun Peng, has now been assumed by Deputy Secretary-General Chun-Houh Chen.