The first joint call of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the Academia Sinica was launched in summer, enabling the exchange and cooperation of researchers within the frame of mobility projects. Two memoranda weresigned between the CAS and the Industrial Technology Research Institute:  one memorandum between the Institute of Thermomechanics and the Green Energy and Environment Research Laboratories and the other one between J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry and the Material and Chemical Research Laboratories.

Czech scientists, researchers and representatives of hi-tech companies and start-ups introduced their innovative solutions and discoveries in robotics and in precision agriculture at webinars, often responding to current global challenges such as work automation, the lack of medical staff, the climate change etc.

Recent remarkable solutions in space sector presented at a webinar by seven Czech companies aroused great interest of more than 60 TW representatives from industry, research and academia, including associations. The interest in the cooperation in the space sector is  confirmed by signing of a memorandum with the Taiwan Space Industry Development Association.

During the virtual meeting with National Yangming Chiaotung University and Taipei Veterans General Hospital on the topic of medicine and health, Czech experts in injured spinal cord treatment, assistive robots, eHealth, telemedicine and rehabilitation etc. presented their research activities. One of the tangible outcomes of the event is a research of dysgraphia in patients with Parkinson's disease. The cooperation is already in the phase of data collection from more than 50 patients.

Bilateral scientific cooperation in the South Taiwan was enhanced together with scientists and new partners from the National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology and the National Pingtung University within a very successful series of cultural, university and promotional activities of CECO Taipei called "Czeching Pingtung".

Relevant  counterparts for CZ researchers have been  found thanks to the establishment of a cooperation with National Taiwan University, National Central University, National Chengkung University, Fu Jen Catholic University, Chung Yuan Christian University and Taipei Medical University. The topics of cooperation are very diverse, ranging from chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering, photonics, quantum technology and computer science through astronomy and space to biomedicine, healthy aging, nursing, gerontology, biomedical informatics, drug discovery and new vaccines development.

Promotion of bilateral and multilateral financial instruments to support CZ-TW cooperation and the interconnection of relevant partners have increased the number of submitted project proposals for public tenders and calls. Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, in cooperation with its partners - ministry of science and technology and the ministry of economy - will financially support 6 projects. They focus on smart machinery, electromechanics, organic farming, space and health. As regards the Czech Science Foundation calls, the implementation of 4 projects is expected to start in 2022.

Marie Leflerová, Head of Science & Technology Section, Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei