Date: 2025-02-27
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.
Academia Sinica President Dr. James C. Liao emphasized that for many years, the institution has invited Nobel laureates and scholars of similar caliber to Taiwan through its Academia Sinica Lecture Series and other mechanisms. These events have allowed for in-depth discussions on cutting-edge research topics, in particular those aligning with Taiwan’s key concerns. Since mid-2024, for example, Academia Sinica has hosted four Nobel laureates, including Dr. Martin Chalfie (2008 Chemistry Laureate), Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi (2022 Chemistry Laureate), Dr. Steven Chu (1997 Physics Laureate) and Dr. Morten Meldal (2022 Chemistry Laureate). These events attracted enthusiastic young students to fill lecture halls, providing valuable learning experiences. With the upcoming Taiwan Bridges Event Series and the expected 10 additional Nobel laureates visiting, Academia Sinica will have hosted at least 14 Nobel laureates in just one and a half years, demonstrating Taiwan’s growing importance and appeal in the global academic community.
IPF Chairman Morawetz explained that the IPF has long been committed to fostering collaboration between Nobel laureates and academic institutions worldwide. Unlike past IPF initiatives, TAIWAN BRIDGES aims not only to organize large lectures but also to engage Taiwanese scholars and students in in-depth discussions with Nobel laureates on topics of shared interest. In doing so, the program will help the international community better understand Taiwan’s contributions to science, the humanities and social affairs.
Academia Sinica highly values this collaboration. The Director of the Department of International Affairs, Dr. Tzu-Ching Meng, noted that the upcoming Nobel laureates represent various fields, including Peace, Chemistry, Physics, and Physiology/Medicine. During Chairman Morawetz’s visit to Taiwan, President Liao invited heads from various institutes—including Political Science, Sociology, Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Cellular and Organismic Biology, Biological Chemistry and Chemistry, as well as the Genomics Research Center and Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences—to join in discussions and help plan this academic event for the benefit of the entire academic community in Taiwan.
The IPF’s Taiwan Bridges Event Series will be held in partnership with Academia Sinica, along with National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University, National Cheng Kung University, National Taiwan Normal University, National Chung Hsing University, Tunghai University, China Medical University, Asia University and Tzu Chi University. This large-scale cross-institutional collaboration will welcome at least 25 Nobel laureates across Taiwan, marking a significant event in Taiwan’s academic community.
List of Confirmed Nobel Laureates to Visit Academia Sinica for Lectures:
Nobel Laureate Name | Nobel Prize Year & Category |
---|---|
Dr. Roger D. Kornberg | 2006 Nobel Laureate for Chemistry |
Ms. Nadia Murad | 2018 Nobel Peace Laureate |
Dr. Serge Haroche | 2012 Nobel Laureate for Physics |
Dr. Michel Mayor | 2019 Nobel Laureate for Physics |
Dr. Sir Richard J. Roberts | 1993 Nobel Laureate for Medicine |
Dr. Sir Gregory P. Winter | 2018 Nobel Laureate for Chemistry |
Dr. Edvard I. Moser | 2014 Nobel Laureate for Medicine |
-
Mr. Shang-Min Lin, Department of International Affairs, Academia Sinica
(02) 2787-2634,moseslin@as.edu.tw
-
Ms. Savid Paljilji, Media & Public Affairs, Secretariat, Academia Sinica
(02) 2789-9727,savid@as.edu.tw
-
Ms. Steffi Tung Lin, Media & Public Affairs, Secretariat, Academia Sinica
(02) 2789-8820,tunglin@as.edu.tw
-
Figure 1: Academia Sinica President Dr. James C. Liao (second from the left) in discussion with The International Peace Foundation Chairman Uwe Morawetz (second from the right). Photo source: Academia Sinica.
-
Figure 2:The International Peace Foundation Chairman Uwe Morawetz visits Academia Sinica to discuss arrangements for Nobel Laureates’ visit to Taiwan. The Director of the Department of International Affairs, Dr. Tzu-Ching Meng, is fourth from the left, and Chairman Uwe Morawetz is third from the right. Photo source: Academia Sinica.
-
Figure 3: The International Peace Foundation Chairman Uwe Morawetz discusses the “Taiwan Bridge Project” with Academia Sinica representatives. Photo source: Academia Sinica.