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Dear Colleagues,

Academia Sinica successfully held its first-ever institution-wide academic conference, the AS Conference, during the first week of July. This achievement was made possible through the dedication and effort of all involved. From the initial call to action at the 2024 Strategic Planning Meeting to its official launch in early July 2025, we are deeply grateful to the organizing committee, participating PIs, and administrative staff whose commitment and hard work brought this significant gathering to fruition.

The AS Conference was designed to showcase our research achievements, foster interdisciplinary exchange, and strengthen the sense of community among colleagues. Unlike universities, which regularly host institutional events such as anniversaries, commencements, and sports days, Academia Sinica has had few activities that bring all colleagues together—particularly opportunities for those in different fields to share their research with one another. As a result, many have observed that, aside from interactions within their own institute, they seldom meet colleagues from other disciplines—and some even retire without ever experiencing the full breadth of Academia Sinica's research community. Indeed, the most common places where colleagues cross paths are the AS kindergarten, cafeteria, or gym. This situation undermines one of Academia Sinica's defining strengths: the co-location of units from all three divisions on a single campus. In an era of rapid advances in knowledge and technology, interdisciplinary exchange not only sparks creativity but also cultivates the depth, breadth, objectivity, and discernment essential to our scholarly community.

Alternating the AS Conference with the Convocation of Academicians each year establishes a steady rhythm for major institutional gatherings and fosters active participation. The Conference is not bound by a predetermined theme; instead, plenary talks are chosen through a voting process conducted by a committee of both researchers and administrative leaders. This approach allows speakers to showcase their research and leave a strong impression across the Academia Sinica community. All plenary speakers are colleagues from Academia Sinica, contributing to a vibrant, Olympiad-like atmosphere of academic exchange. The four-day event drew enthusiastic participation, fully reflecting the scholarly depth and diversity of our community.

Academia Sinica's scholars across all disciplines uphold an international standard of excellence. Delivering a compelling lecture requires not only revisiting one's research framework and core values, but also considering the impression one hopes to leave on experts from other fields. While this can be a demanding process, speakers often gain even more than the audience through the preparation involved. I encourage everyone to embrace such opportunities for sharing—not only to broaden academic horizons, but also as a powerful means of personal and professional growth.

At the AS Conference 2025, I introduced the “Special Extended Service (Second Tenure)” initiative. This program enables distinguished research fellows and research fellows, upon recommendation from their affiliated institute or center, to apply for a Second Tenure between the ages of 60 and 63. Once reviewed and approved, their tenure may be extended until the age of 70, encouraging senior research staff to pursue long-term research planning. This concept has received widespread recognition and support both within and beyond Academia Sinica.

At the same time, I also launched the “Pioneering Researcher Program,” a 5+5-year appointment scheme aimed at attracting exceptional talents under internationally competitive conditions. Both initiatives have been approved by the General Assembly of Academia Sinica and will be officially announced on August 1, 2025.

We hope the Second Tenure system will inspire outstanding senior researchers to reignite the passion that fueled their initial tenure applications and to reach new heights during this “second tenure” stage of their academic careers.

I would like to reiterate: “The sole reason Academia Sinica exists is to be the best in the world.” The AS Conference stands as our most significant institution-wide academic event, and I hope that all colleagues take pride in being selected as plenary speakers. It is our aspiration that this biennial conference will serve as a strong foundation for the upcoming centennial celebration of Academia Sinica in 2028.

Warm regards,

James C. Liao
President

To revisit the conference, please use the following links:
2025 AS Conference Report https://www.sinica.edu.tw/news_content/56/3218
2025 AS Conference – President Liao's Plenary Talk
“Decoding Academia Sinica: Its Philosophy, Strategy, and Recent Progress”
Presentation Slides: https://sec.sinica.edu.tw/archives/a161d38d7e99b52c
2025 AS Conference – President Liao's Plenary Talk
“Unlocking Academia Sinica: Vision, Strategies, and Recent Achievements”
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whg13FOi_WY&t=4s