The Executive Yuan launched a three-month vMaker action plan today at the Taiwan Air Force (TAF) innovation base (former site of the ROC Air Force Headquarters).
At the launch press conference, Premier Mao Chi-kuo stated that the "maker movement" has become an international trend. Via the "do-it-yourself" (DIY) spirit and incorporation of cutting-edge technology, students can learn through experience and thus develop innovation and creativity, effecting progress and change. The Executive Yuan has expanded the maker movement to involve youth communities and school campuses.
Premier Mao also bore witness to the innovators signing up for the invention competition and the central region's Fab Truck launching ceremony at the site. The TAF base is playing host to not only the invention competition but also the handiworks exhibition of technical and vocational junior colleges organized by the Ministry of Education (MOE) as well as the Second FabLab Asia Network Conference (FAN2) that began May 25. A 3D Fab Truck is stationed at the base; such trucks have been touring the nation's high schools and vocational schools to give students the opportunity to personally experience 3D printing. The premier visited the various sites and paid special attention to the sufficiency and utility of the spaces.
The maker movement is also called the innovators' movement, the premier pointed out. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which spawned the Fab Lab concept under this trend, focused chiefly on having the maker movement take root in school campuses, linking campuses via Fab Trucks.
The ROC government extends full support to the maker movement, as innovation is a major source for future industrial development. To take to DIY is to actualize one's creativity, Mao noted.
The Fab Truck tour of senior high schools and vocational schools started in December 2014. Under the guidance of Minister without Portfolio Tsai Yu-ling and MOE collaboration, the program first conducted trial experiments at six schools, and six more schools have now adopted Fab Trucks. By the end of 2016, the program is expected to accomplish the goal of touring 497 senior high schools and vocational schools.
Aside from school campus touring, under the vMaker action plan the government has won the right to have the FAN2 held in Taiwan. During this event, more than 80 makers from 15 nations have joined Taiwanese youths in brainstorming for innovation and creativity. Everyone is welcome to attend the innovators' invention competition.