Premier Mao Chi-kuo today hosted a meeting of the Executive Yuan's Board of Science and Technology to discuss overall directions, as well as review mechanisms and resource allocation for Taiwan's scientific and technological (S&T) development.
After hearing a report on the draft ROC White Paper on Science and Technology (2015-2018), the premier said that the paper is a blueprint of the Executive Yuan's policy directions for the near term. Among these policies are strengthening online communications through open data, big data and crowd wisdom; encouraging creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship; offering quality and competitive working conditions; fostering a nurturing environment for scientists and researchers; creating entrepreneurial clusters; and attracting capital and skilled workers from abroad.
The premier asked government agencies to closely align their S&T policies with those outlined in the white paper so as to achieve the visions of scientific innovation, industrial transformation, and a happy and diverse society.
Also at the meeting, the premier heard two other reports on the 2016 S&T policy review mechanism and 2016 S&T development policies and resource allocation. Mao said that S&T resources should be allocated in a way that supports the nation's long-term vision for S&T development.
Given that the policy review mechanism will be introduced for the first time in 2016, the premier asked the Executive Yuan Office of Science and Technology to gather broader feedback from ministries and continue discussing more refined review mechanisms. Aside from effectively linking S&T policies to the resources allocated, these efforts will further consolidate the direction of recent major policies such as innovation and entrepreneurship, the bio-economy, smart cities, high-speed mobile broadband services and industrial development.
Administering forward-looking S&T policies is an important part of fulfilling public expectations, Mao said. He asked all agencies to work together to implement the blueprint and to maximize benefits from the resources invested. The Executive Yuan will evaluate the nation's S&T development needs and allocate the appropriate budget to actively develop key technologies and industries.