Seven days, six universities, dozens of meetings, and one clear goal: strengthening academic bridges between Masaryk University and Taiwan. Our faculty also joined the delegation. The results include concrete agreements, a memorandum of understanding, and offers for internships and joint research projects.
Masaryk University initiated a collaboration with Taiwan, hosting a meeting on April 11, 2024, in Brno with the Association of Taiwanese Universities. Twelve prestigious institutions from Taiwan attended the event. Based on the successful meeting, the leadership of Masaryk University decided to prepare an official delegation to Taiwan, led by Vice-Rectors Petr Suchý and Michal Bulant. Representatives of the Faculty of Science joined them. The delegation included the Vice-Dean for Research and Internationalization, Ctirad Hofr, along with Petr Kubíček, Director of the Department of Geography; Petr Táborský, Director of the Department of Chemistry; and Pavel Souček, expert in thin film and nanostructure depositions; to meet with the leadership of top research and educational institutions and arrange very interesting possibilities of scientific cooperation and exchange stays. These will be mentioned first in the article, and then you can read a report about how the trip went and in which topics our faculty wants to cooperate with Taiwanese institutions. As Hofr said: “I highly recommend a stay in Taiwan to our students, especially those in PhD studies. It is a great opportunity to fulfill the requirement of a one-month internship,” concludes Hofr.
Programs for Czech participants in Taiwan (students, researchers, and scholars)
Visegrad–Taiwan Scholarship: This program is intended for PhD students and postdocs and is funded by the National Science Council of Taiwan
Taiwan Experience Education Program: Program for students, funded by the Ministry of Education of Taiwan
Subsidies to Invite International Science Scholars and Experts to Taiwan for Short term Visits: Program for faculty staff, funded by NSTC
Subsidy for Visiting Science and Technology Personnel: Program for faculty staff, funded by NSTC
Yushan Scholars Program: Program for faculty staff, funded by MOE
International Internship Pilot Program: Program for international high talents, funded by NSTC
Programs for Taiwanese participants in the Czech Republic
Ph.D. Students Study Abroad Program: Program for PhD students, funded by NSTC
Partnership Program for the Connection to the Top Labs in the World / Dragon Gate Program: Program for faculty, postdocs, students, and teams, funded by NSTC
Post-doc Research Abroad Program: Program for postdocs, funded by NSTC
Subsidy for Short-Term Research Abroad for Technologists: Program for faculty, funded by NSTC
Arrangement for Scholars and Experts to Go Abroad for Academic Diplomacy Programs: Program for faculty, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan
Cooperation in the field of engineering and technology
• ICU-UAAT Collaboration in Engineering Field: Cooperation between Masaryk University and National Tsing Hua University in engineering and technology
• Mission: Improvement of cooperation in engineering and technology
• Partnership: Support for research and talent exchange
Fields of cooperation
10 innovative collaboration projects with Czech institutions
The Taiwanese UAAT Engineering and Technology Alliance has successfully launched 10 innovative collaboration projects with Czech institutions. These projects not only highlight the cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic, but also the potential for significant advancements in technology and research, which bring benefits to both nations and contribute to global scientific progress.
In Taiwan, at National Cheng Kung University, a series of intensive meetings began – discussions on joint research and exchange stays. In Pingtung, there were talks on joint scientific projects, while Taipei brought an exchange of experience in environmental research and polar expeditions.
“Science is global today. And if we want to be part of it, we must be where the future is being created – in international teams, in the field, and in space,” summarizes Ctirad Hofr after the visit to NCU, where cooperation in the field of hyperspectral data and satellite missions was also discussed.
One of the strongest outcomes of the visit is cooperation with Ming Chi University of Technology, which is among the leaders in the development of thin films and sustainable materials. During the meetings, a memorandum of cooperation was signed, opening the path to internships for students and exchange of know-how in battery technologies.
“Our partners in Taiwan were exceptionally welcoming – they have top-class equipment and a strong interest in joint projects. It would be a pity not to use that,” points out Hofr, referring to specific opportunities, for example, for PhD students in physics.
At National Central University, the activities of the Czech Antarctic Station Johann Gregor Mendel, operated by Masaryk University, were presented in detail. Taiwanese partners, who already have experience with polar research in the Arctic, showed interest in cooperation especially in monitoring changes in ocean dynamics and research of sea currents, which opens opportunities to connect expertise from both sides.
The possibility of joint application use of hyperspectral data and cooperation on planned space missions of NCU in connection with the Center for Space Research and Remote Sensing was also discussed. This cooperation has strategic significance with regard to the planned missions of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the interests of commercial partners in the Czech Republic.
At National Chengchi University (NCCU), an inspiring discussion took place on the possibilities of joint student projects in the field of cartography and 3D modeling of urban systems. This type of cooperation allows students to participate in applied research with direct impact on urban planning and the use of various data sources for the creation of urban digital twins.
During the visit to National Tsing Hua University, cooperation on the development of metallic coatings with nanotwinning using advanced technologies such as high power pulsed magnetron sputtering was discussed. Ab-initio calculations of material properties and the development of nanocomposite coatings resistant to ion radiation were also addressed.
A major advantage of the cooperation is also access to a synchrotron, which allows for detailed analysis of the crystalline structure of materials in depth.
At Ming Chi University of Technology, discussions focused on the development of high entropy stabilized materials and their use in lithium batteries. Representatives of the Battery Research Center of Green Energy and the Organic Electronics Research Centre offered concrete options for electrochemical testing and the involvement of Czech researchers in joint technological projects with long-term impact.
These specialized research areas show the breadth and depth of possible forms of cooperation between Masaryk University and Taiwanese partners – from basic research to applications with direct impact on industry and society.
The Czech footprint in Asia
The delegation also received strong support from the Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei. Besides scientific topics, participation in fairs for high school students and further development of cultural cooperation was discussed.
“Taiwan sees the Czech Republic as a partner. And now we have the opportunity to fill that with content that will benefit our students and science,” summarizes Hofr.
What comes next?
In the coming months, specific steps will begin – from internship planning to joint research grants. Academics and PhD candidates from MUNI now have a new path to develop their work in cooperation with leading institutions in Asia.
“Taiwan is ready. Now it’s our turn,” concludes Hofr with a call to our faculty community.
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