SAS and Taiwan's NSTC discussed closer cooperation
On Monday, January 26, 2026, the President of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Mgr. Martin Venhart, DrSc., welcomed Prof. Tima Ting-Fu Hong, PhD., Director of the Science and Technology Department of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Prague. Prof. Hong serves as Taiwan's representative to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) for Central European countries.
At the beginning of the meeting, the President of the SAS emphasised the importance of basic research for Slovakia's development and the link between science and industry. He opened a discussion on the future of nuclear energy in Taiwan's specific context, and he and Prof. Hong agreed on the need to prepare a new generation of experts.
Technical and natural sciences have traditionally dominated joint Slovak-Taiwanese scientific activities. The Vice-President of the SAS for the 3rd Department of Sciences, Dr Denisa Fedáková, raised the issue of expanding the partnership to include social sciences and the humanities, agreeing with the NSTC representative on current topics such as technology ethics, the social consequences of artificial intelligence, and research in ethnology, economics, and history.
Vice-President for Foreign Relations Dr Zuzana Panczová presented the SAS's activities in the area of research security, with Prof. Hong expressing interest in exchanging experiences.
Deputy Vice-President for Foreign Relations Dr Martin Nosko reported on European initiatives in advanced materials and on the involvement of SAS institutes in this rapidly developing field. The NSTC representative views advanced materials as a key area of expertise and welcomed closer cooperation between the NSTC and the SAS.
Member of the SAS Presidium Dr Dana Jurkovičová highlighted the SAS's interest in cooperating with the NSTC on bio- and nanomaterials and targeted therapy. She also pointed out the potential for increasing scientific exchanges, while Prof. Hong emphasised opportunities for short-term research visits.
Another important topic of the meeting was the popularisation of science. The NSTC representative noted a decline in young people's interest in studying science and technology in Taiwan, which the country sees as a long-term challenge. The causes of this trend were discussed, along with ways to make scientific work more meaningful and attractive to younger generations.
The meeting confirmed strong interest in further joint projects and strengthening scientific ties between Slovakia and the NSTC in both the natural and social sciences, as well as in the mobility of young researchers.
NSTC is Taiwan's government agency for science, technology, and innovation. It funds scientific projects and supports international scientific cooperation. Cooperation between the SAS and the NSTC has been ongoing since 2009.
Prepared by: Jana Pastieriková, Department of International Cooperation, SAS
Photo: Martin Bystriansky