The forum convened leaders from across the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Singapore, Czechia, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, and Finland. Entrepreneurs, industry pioneers, academics, and policymakers came together to craft what was, in essence, a knowledge symposium spanning continents and pointing towards the future.

The scale and stature of the gathering were evident in its participants. Global enterprises such as Nvidia, Intel, ARM, and Bosch joined forces with leading institutions including the University of Cambridge, the London School of Economics, the University of Helsinki, and the Czech Technical University. Professional bodies such as the British Standards Institution and the Royal Academy of Engineering lent further weight. For several days, the Entopia Building was transformed into a global stage, where the languages of technology, industry, academia, and policy converged to sketch a shared blueprint for sustainable R&D.

Yet the true value of the forum extended well beyond the walls of Cambridge. Media outlets across multiple nations continued to track its outcomes, while institutions pursued follow-up discussions and new collaborations. Bilateral research projects, international talent exchanges, and pilot programmes in emerging markets began to take shape. What started as a forum is now evolving into a dynamic network stretching from Cambridge to Prague, from Taipei to Singapore, and onwards to Lisbon and Helsinki. This momentum has not only aligned Taiwan’s technological capabilities with Europe’s policy and research frameworks but has also elevated sustainability itself—from a technical subject to a diplomatic language, a cultural dialogue, and a strategic choice.

As the forum’s official media partner, The Icons subsequently held in-depth interviews with three pivotal figures: Dr Mei-Yu Chang, Director of the International Affairs Office at NIAR; Sam Laakkonen, Senior Director at CISL; and Professor Radek Holý, Director of the Advanced Chip Design Research Centre in Czechia. From the perspectives of science diplomacy, innovation culture, and strategic balance, each offered distinct insights. Yet all converged on a singular conclusion: when technology, diplomacy, culture, and strategy intersect, sustainability innovation becomes the driving force capable of reshaping the world’s future.

Dr Mei-Yu Chang: Science as Diplomacy, Innovation as a Global Responsibility

“We follow the principle of leveraging our national strengths to address global needs.” With this opening statement, Dr Mei-Yu Chang, Director of International Affairs at Taiwan’s National Institutes of Applied Research (NIAR), distilled the very spirit of the forum. For her, science is not confined to laboratory results; it is a language the world can read. And innovation is no longer just technical progress—it is an assumption of international responsibility.

She outlined three fields of collaboration that emerged from the dialogue. In the net-zero transition, Taiwan showcased capabilities in carbon capture and storage (CCS) and high-performance computing for carbon-negative research. These complemented Europe’s advances in cement-sector decarbonisation technologies, creating tangible opportunities for synergy. In built environment resilience, Taiwan’s expertise in seismic retrofitting, disaster early warning systems, and AI-driven smart city applications resonated directly with Europe’s pursuit of ESG-driven property data platforms. In semiconductors, Taiwan’s silicon carbide wafer processing and low-power AI chip design extend far beyond industrial gains, forming an indispensable cornerstone for global sustainable transformation.

She stressed that what underpinned these collaborations was not mere “technology transfer” but a deeper alignment of values. “Science is diplomacy, innovation is responsibility.” Examples from the forum illustrated this point: joint projects between Taiwanese startups such as Microip, DEUVtek and Light Momentum with the Czech Technical University, together with NIAR’s formal agreements with international partners and ongoing exchanges with global experts. “Through bilateral research programmes, technology transfer mechanisms, and participation in international forums,” she explained, “Taiwan’s scientific achievements are increasingly embedded into other countries’ systems and industries, becoming gateways to bilateral and even multilateral cooperation.”

Dr Chang also placed emphasis on the strategic importance of talent mobility. NIAR oversees seven national laboratories with a vision of “pursuing global excellence while creating local value.” It has long promoted professional training to help students bridge into industry, upgrade in-service professionals, and enable academic exchange through visiting scholars and overseas placements. “Talent is the true key to turning research into international influence. Only by enabling young people to cross borders can scientific cooperation move beyond paper agreements and endure through generations.”

At the close of our interview, Dr Chang elevated her perspective further: “Taiwan does not wish to be seen merely as a link in the global supply chain. We want to be recognised as a partner that stands alongside the world in addressing shared challenges. What we aspire to is not simply the demonstration of technology, but the assumption of greater responsibility.”

Sam Laakkonen: From Local Contexts to a Shared Global Destiny

“Cross-border collaboration is essential. We can not only learn from each other’s innovation cultures but also share practical experience.” Sam Laakkonen, Senior Director at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), began his reflections by lifting the value of sustainability innovation to the level of cultural context. For him, innovation is not merely a methodology—it is shaped by the institutions, geography and history of a place.

He drew particular attention to the power of policy. “In Europe, sustainability innovation is often policy-led.” For decades, Europe has led the world in drafting sustainability regulations and standards. Though sometimes seen as onerous, these frameworks provide innovators with foresight, signalling where global policy directions are likely heading. In his words, this “institution-first” culture defines the European innovation landscape.

By contrast, Asia—Taiwan in particular—faces different realities. “Taiwan’s environmental challenges are more acute, from extreme heat to natural disasters. The way Taiwan confronts these issues can inspire European innovators.” For Laakkonen, what Asia grapples with today may well foreshadow Europe’s future. Taiwan’s solutions are therefore not parochial but serve as rehearsals for Europe—and perhaps the wider world.

Yet Laakkonen’s focus is not on high-level agreements or macro frameworks but on grassroots practice. “I firmly believe in the power of grassroots exchange. We must encourage direct interaction and engagement, so that entrepreneurs and researchers can collaborate and co-create across borders.” In his view, real innovation rarely originates in conference rooms or policy texts; it emerges from experiments by entrepreneurs and researchers on the ground.

That is why he sees grassroots exchange as decisive. “Entrepreneurs often take learnings from these exchanges directly into their solutions.” In other words, cross-cultural dialogue does not remain rhetorical but becomes tangible in the form of products, services, and market-ready responses to social needs.

In this process, Cambridge and NIAR play a catalytic role. “They are not arbiters standing above the process, but enablers who create the platforms where innovation can intersect.” For Laakkonen, their greatest contribution is to unlock spaces where grassroots energy can be sparked and amplified.

His concluding remark carried both clarity and urgency: “We cannot operate in silos. To understand another region’s context is often to understand our own future.” For him, the ultimate goal is to lift sustainability challenges from regional concerns onto the trajectory of a shared global destiny. And in that trajectory, cross-national innovation is not an option—it is an imperative.

Radek Holý: Semiconductor Collaboration Between Europe and Asia Must Transcend Technology

Professor Radek Holý, Vice-Rector of the Czech Technical University and Director of the Advanced Chip Design Research Centre (ACDRC), views technology through a strategic lens. “I see the role of ACDRC as a crucial bridge between Europe’s ambition for technological sovereignty and Taiwan’s global leadership in semiconductor innovation.”

For him, ACDRC is not merely a research institution but a hub connecting industry, policy, and geopolitics. “ACDRC has the potential to become a centre of excellence, linking Europe’s strong research capacities with Taiwan’s practical know-how and industrial expertise—particularly in chip design, where Taiwan clearly leads.” Such a fusion, he explained, will not only accelerate technological breakthroughs but also serve Europe’s geopolitical imperative: reducing reliance on external suppliers and strengthening strategic autonomy.

When speaking of collaboration with NIAR, his tone was both resolute and optimistic. “This cross-continental partnership marks a new era.” He elaborated: “Taiwan brings distinctive expertise and global market experience, while Europe contributes robust research infrastructure, a stable regulatory framework, and an increasing political will to invest in strategic technologies.” For Holý, this is the essence of European technological sovereignty—not isolationism, but the ability to build balanced and respectful partnerships with global leaders.

Yet what excites him most lies beyond the technical. “What inspires me most is the resonance of values: our shared commitment to research freedom, an openness to innovation, and a long-term vision of sustainable technological growth.” He pointed out that Czechia’s strong academic foundations, paired with Taiwan’s agility in technological leadership, offer the potential not only to advance semiconductors but also to educate the next generation of engineers and scientists capable of thriving on the global stage. “These new generations will not only compete internationally but will create new value globally.”

In his closing reflections, Professor Holý balanced the voice of an educator with the realism of a strategist. “From what we have witnessed at this forum, the future is not merely about cooperation across borders; it is about building a value-based research community.” In his vision, semiconductor collaboration between Europe and Asia will no longer be confined to technical coordination, but will emerge as a stabilising and enduring force within the global order.

The Collective Force of Sustainability Innovation Is Redefining Global Standards

The Cambridge forum opened a new corridor between Europe and Asia, bringing Taiwan’s science diplomacy, Europe’s policy culture, and the strategic imperatives of semiconductor cooperation into one shared conversation. Dr Mei-Yu Chang framed Taiwan’s role with her dictum, “Science is diplomacy, innovation is responsibility.” Sam Laakkonen urged that innovation must be grounded in lived context and grassroots practice. And Radek Holý combined education, strategy, and values to point towards a research community built on cooperation.

From different vantage points, the three leaders ultimately converged on a single truth: sustainability innovation is no longer optional—it is a global responsibility of our age.

As the official media partner of the forum, The Icons observed that this was far more than a gathering of experts. It was a living testament to how Europe and Asia can co-create the future together. From Cambridge to Taipei, from Prague to Singapore, and onwards across the globe, the momentum of sustainability innovation is crossing the frontiers of industry, academia, and diplomacy. This momentum is not only accelerating technological advancement but is also reshaping the very standards and principles of international collaboration.

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“We’ve never pursued research for its own sake, it’s always been about solving real-world problems,” Dr. Tsai affirms. As a national research institute under Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), NIAR not only responds to the demands of national science and technology policy, but also serves as a critical platform and enabler. Building bridges among academia, industry, and policymaking to drive mutual empowerment.

“Our mission includes enabling technologies still in the academic phase to reach the market and become tangible solutions.” With a strong background in scientific research and deep policy expertise, Dr. Tsai has provided NIAR with a clear identity: “Technology implementation shouldn’t be a scattered series of isolated incidents, it should be a coordinated and structured system.” Guided by this vision, NIAR is evolving from a research institution into a dynamic platform for technology translation and policy implementation, playing a pivotal role in aligning Taiwan’s technological capabilities with global needs, and unlocking new avenues for international collaboration and shared success.

On 16 June 2025, NIAR co-hosted the “Taiwan–UK Sustainability Research and Development Forum” with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) at the iconic Entopia Building, a beacon of green innovation in Cambridge. The event marked a milestone in cross-continental dialogue, connecting academia, industry, and government from both regions to advance the future of sustainable development.

Between Europe and Asia: Three Strategic Pillars Under the Theme of Sustainability

This “Taiwan-UK Sustainability Research and Development Forum”, co-hosted by Taiwan NIAR and the University of Cambridge’s Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) at the renowned Entopia Building, served as a platform for fostering in-depth dialogue between Asia and Europe.

Key speakers included Sam Laakkonen, Senior Director of Sustainability Innovation at CISL; Dr. Mei-Yu Chang, Director of International Affairs at NIAR; Dr. Konrad Young, Director of Arculus Lab and CEO of the Industry-Academia Innovation College at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology; Dr. Radek Holý, Director of the Advanced Chip Design Research Center (ACDRC) in the Czech Republic; and Professor Jonathan Cullen, a leading expert in sustainable engineering at the University of Cambridge.

The forum centred on three strategic themes: net-zero emissions, resilient built environments, and sustainable semiconductors. “These themes weren’t chosen at random,” said Dr. Hung-Yin Tsai, President of Taiwan’s National Institutes of Applied Research (NIAR). “They represent the most urgent challenges facing global sustainability technologies today and more importantly, they are areas where Taiwan is uniquely equipped to make a global contribution.”

Dr. Tsai stressed that climate change has placed enormous pressure on the resilience of cities worldwide, making energy efficiency and disaster response a core element of urban governance. At the same time, semiconductors, long a cornerstone of Taiwan’s tech industry, have become essential to the world’s energy systems and computational demands. “Sustainable semiconductors,” he added, “are not just timely, they’re vital.”

These three focus areas clearly reflect NIAR’s vision of applied research as a system-wide, actionable platform, not just isolated innovation but a mechanism for scalable, real-world impact.

In addition to Dr. Tsai, the forum brought together a distinguished lineup of cross-disciplinary leaders from Taiwan and the UK. These included Dr. Simon Hsu, NIAR’s Chief Operating Officer; Dr. Juin-Fu Chai, Deputy Director General of NIAR’s National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering; Dr. Wen-Yi Chang, Research Fellow at NIAR’s National Center for High-performance Computing; and Dr. Jiunn-Yih Chyan, COO of DEUVtek Co., Ltd. and an expert in semiconductor process integration. Also present was Allen Cheng, CEO of Light Momentum Technology Corp. and a specialist in IC design.

From the UK side, Wendy Niu, Sustainability Innovation Manager at the British Standards Institution (BSI), contributed perspectives on regulatory frameworks. Dr. Agnieszka Iwasiewicz-Wabnig, Industry Lead for Zero Carbon Strategy at the University of Cambridge’s Maxwell Centre, and Viola Jardon, Director of Sustainable Innovation Programmes at CISL, offered insights on innovation ecosystems in the UK and Europe. Harry Hsu, CEO of《The Icons》, also participated, bridging the dialogue between leadership media and scientific advancement.

President Hung-Yin Tsai: Every International Dialogue Sets a Benchmark for the Future of Taiwan’s Global Tech Outreach

Empowered by NIAR, the spotlight at the Cambridge “Taiwan-UK Sustainable R&D Forum” this year shone on four pioneering forces representing Taiwan’s innovation and research capabilities: DEUVtek Co., Ltd., Light Momentum Technology Corp., Microip Inc. (along with its R&D arm, Arculus Lab), and the Advanced Chip Design Research Center (ACDRC), a joint initiative between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. These names stood not merely for technical achievement, but for the tangible transformation of scientific research into global collaborations.

The innovations showcased by these organisations span cutting-edge fields: from sustainable semiconductor materials and low-power AI chip design to integrated packaging solutions and international chip development partnerships. DEUVtek focuses on sustainable materials for the semiconductor industry; Light Momentum merges AI with green computing; Microip drives future electronics with advanced packaging technologies; and ACDRC supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and co-established by NIAR and the Czech Cyber Security Hub in Brno, acts as a key node for European semiconductor collaboration and talent mobility. The three startups mentioned above also contribute their efforts to Taiwan-Czechia academic and industrial collaboration in ACDRC.

“We are not just building international bridges for strong technical teams,” said NIAR President Dr. Hong-Ying Tsai with conviction.

“Each international dialogue is a serious test and a standard-setting example for Taiwan’s future technology export models. We do everything we can to ensure these companies and institutions are able to cross boundaries and land in the corners of the world best suited to them. Forming real partnerships, R&D collaborations, and even commercial opportunities.”

According to Dr Tsai, NIAR’s long-term strategy is to strategically support enterprises with the maturity and readiness to connect with the international scientific community. Many of these featured companies are not only technically advanced but are also preparing for public listing. Once paired with global partners, their commercial and technological influence can lift the entire industry’s ecosystem.

“This isn’t hypothetical or aspirational,” Tsai concluded.

“It is concrete evidence of Taiwan’s tech sector entering the global supply chain and sustainable transformation agenda. It also defines NIAR’s very purpose to ensure Taiwan’s innovation finds its rightful place on the world stage.”

Embracing Global Tech Diplomacy: Taiwan’s Gateway into the International Sustainability Community

As technology increasingly becomes the central language of global governance and sustainable development, Dr. Hung-Yin Tsai, President of Taiwan’s National Institutes of Applied Research (NIAR), described the NIAR–CISL collaboration on the Taiwan-UK Sustainability R&D Forum as a “concrete exercise in technology diplomacy.”

“No matter the distance between Taiwan and the UK, or Taipei and Cambridge, we are all moving toward the same direction, responding to the global mission of sustainability,” Tsai remarked. Using a vivid metaphor, he added, “This collaboration is like two rapidly spinning tops meeting at the perfect moment, striking sparks of cross-disciplinary innovation.”

Held at the Entopia Building, headquarters of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), the forum carried symbolic weight. As the first building in the UK to simultaneously achieve EnerPHit, BREEAM Outstanding, and WELL Gold certifications, Entopia stands as a model for sustainable construction and healthy working environments. It is one of the rare global examples of a retrofitted structure that successfully meets both net-zero carbon and social impact goals.

“Entopia isn’t just a symbol of European green architecture,” Tsai emphasized. “It’s a living lab for sustainable innovation. Hosting this dialogue here reflects our commitment to embedding Taiwanese technological innovation at the heart of Europe’s sustainability ecosystem.”

The forum brought together leaders from government, industry, and academia across the UK, Finland, Czech Republic, and Taiwan, sparking an unprecedented international technology dialogue. “We’re proud to see Taiwan’s research perspectives recognized and responded to on the global stage,” Tsai said.

He further underscored that research should not remain confined within national laboratories. It must step into the global sustainability community, engage with global trends, and contribute meaningfully to international dialogue:

“What we co-created with Cambridge CISL was not merely a forum. It was a dialogue on technological sovereignty and global participation. This marks a historic moment for Taiwan’s science and innovation entering the global core, and reflects our role as a key contributor in the world’s sustainable future.”

Empowering Taiwanese Talent to Go Global, Welcoming Global Talent to Taiwan

In today’s world, scientific innovation is no longer the domain of isolated laboratories. Instead, it has evolved into a systemic endeavour, one that crosses institutions, borders, and cultures. Dr. Hung-Yin Tsai, President of the National Institutes of Applied Research (NIAR), underscores the importance of governance in fostering this shift:

“True innovation emerges when cross-disciplinary dialogue becomes a daily and institutionalised practice.”

Under his leadership, NIAR has developed a unique inter-centre collaboration mechanism that connects seven national-level research centres. Biweekly cross-centre executive meetings are held to review project progress and coordinate resources.

“This not only improves organisational efficiency but also lays the groundwork for genuine cross-disciplinary cooperation,” said Dr. Tsai. “Through familiarity and mutual understanding, collaboration becomes more than a slogan, it becomes reality.”

To further institutionalise a culture of innovation, NIAR launched the i-Dream Program, a biannual open call that encourages joint proposals among centres.

“We place strong emphasis on cross-centre and international collaboration,” Dr. Tsai noted. “Because only through the collision of diverse perspectives can true breakthroughs occur.” He views the initiative not merely as technical integration but as a strategic fusion of culture and talent:

“Our goal is to cultivate an innovation ecosystem capable of global dialogue, an ecosystem that extends beyond national borders and into our international partnerships and talent strategies.”

President Tsai Hong-Ying emphasises that NIAR’s mission is not only to send Taiwanese talent abroad but also to bring global talent into Taiwan. By promoting internships and research opportunities for European master’s and doctoral students, NIAR aims to provide the next generation with first-hand experience of Taiwan’s industrial depth and forward-thinking innovation.

“These students and scholars from around the world, working alongside young Taiwanese talent across NIAR’s platforms, represent the bridges to the future in our view. What we are cultivating is more than talent; it is every possible connection between Taiwan, the world, and what’s to come.”

For Whom Is Innovation Born, and Why Does Research Advance

“Discussing technological and sustainable innovation is not merely about linking technologies. It is a dialogue among society, humanity, and the environment,” affirmed Dr. Hung-Yin Tsai, President of Taiwan’s National Institutes of Applied Research (NIAR). He stressed that true innovation must respond to societal structures, cultural contexts, and ecological limits. “We should not only ask how to innovate, but more importantly, for whom we are innovating.”

As the interview drew to a close, Dr. Tsai concluded, “The value of science lies not in data, but in how it is absorbed and practiced by society.” He further emphasized that innovation which stays confined to academic papers, without being translated into tangible industrial or societal impact, falls short of its full potential. That is precisely where NIAR steps in—to build a systemic engine that brings cutting-edge technology into the real world.

Dr. Tsai also addressed a common challenge: when research remains isolated in academia, even the most precise technologies risk becoming castles in the air. To counter this, he has been actively promoting cross-center, cross-national, and cross-sector collaboration, not only to integrate technologies, but also to align culture and human capital: “Innovation cannot rely solely on technology; it must also inspire participation, be supported by institutions, and be embraced by culture.”

In Dr. Tsai’s vision, NIAR serves as a bridge connecting government, industry, academia, and research. It is not only an enabler amplifying Taiwan’s policy and technological capabilities, but also a platform for global dialogue and meaningful engagement with the times:

“With every international exchange, we showcase Taiwan’s strengths and contributions to the world. With every global collaboration, we enable our partners to feel that working with Taiwan is not only mutually beneficial, but also meaningful and sustainable.”

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The post Technology and Sustainability at the Core: Bridging Taiwan and Cambridge as Dr. Hung-Yin Tsai, President of Taiwan NIAR, Advances Asian Innovation into Europe’s Decision-Making Hubs first appeared on The Icons.