On 5 August 2025, the Cambridge University Taiwan Alumni Association, the Taiwan Digital Enterprise Alliance (TDEA), and《The Icons》International Leaders Magazine co-hosted the forum “From Legacy to Innovation: How Can Enterprises Drive Sustainable Competitiveness from Within?” at the GTB Business Centre in Taipei. The event brought together successors from traditional industries, technology, finance and hospitality, alongside leaders from diverse sectors. Through a series of in-depth conversations, second- and third-generation entrepreneurs at the helm of businesses in transition found a starting point for rethinking how to confront the challenges of the future.

Bella Wang, CEO of TDEA: True Succession Is Not About Inheriting Assets, but About Creating New Meaning

At the opening of the forum, Bella Wang, CEO of the Taiwan Digital Enterprise Alliance (TDEA), spoke with striking clarity: the real challenge for successors does not lie in preserving what has already been built, but in defining what future success should mean. She noted that while past achievements have laid a foundation for enterprises, in times of rapid change, successors who only maintain existing practices may at best preserve them briefly, before quickly being overtaken by shifting circumstances.

Widely referred to in the media as the “Queen of Second-Generation Entrepreneurs” for her long-standing role in guiding new business leaders through the complexities of succession, Wang observed that many successors are already well-versed in the operational models established by their predecessors. Yet she urged them to reflect on how long such an advantage could truly last.

“Markets shift rapidly. Pressures of internationalisation and the digital wave arrive one after another, while generational values continue to evolve. Simply replicating the past will only strip enterprises of their adaptability,” Wang stressed. For her, succession is not about receiving assets, but about creating new meaning.

“We must evaluate ourselves by the toughest standards of the future. The real question is whether what we do today can still keep the company standing strong ten or twenty years from now. In the future, it will not be the largest companies that are rewarded, but the courageous ones, those willing to choose differently and to change,” she added.

For Wang, this is nothing less than a “responsibility of the brave”. It means daring to break old rules, shouldering the pressures of transformation, and leading organisations into uncharted territory. Only then can companies avoid being trapped in the glory of the past and continue to create value in a new era.

CISL Head of Innovation Programmes Viola Jardon: Sustainability Is Long-Term Competitiveness, and Leaders Must Drive It Themselves

At the forum, Viola Jardon, Head of Innovation Programmes at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), distilled nearly four decades of CISL research into a concise yet profound framework. Her insights provided guidance for the leaders present while also addressing their most pressing concerns.

Viola pointed out that one of the most common and fatal mistakes businesses make in their sustainability efforts is to treat it as a project delegated to a department or an external consultant. While this approach may appear efficient, she warned, it is in fact a fundamental strategic error. It explains why many corporate sustainability initiatives remain superficial and ultimately fail. When sustainability is reduced to an auxiliary task, it is often confined to public relations campaigns rather than being translated into operational resilience and long-term competitiveness.

For Viola, sustainability is neither a slogan nor a branding exercise. It is a deep transformation that must be driven and implemented directly by the highest level of leadership. Her words recalibrated the sense of responsibility for the next generation of leaders in attendance, serving as a clear reminder that in this decisive battle for the survival of businesses over the next ten to twenty years, leaders cannot remain on the sidelines.

“Whether we are speaking about technology or sustainability, the ultimate responsibility lies with those who hold decision-making power. If you are truly committed to driving change, the core leadership must be personally engaged and ensure that the idea is firmly embedded in their minds. As the saying goes, ‘A revolution cannot be carried out by proxy.’”

Ken Hsi, Chief Marketing Officer of HSIN CHONG GROUP: A Blueprint Must Come First to Drive Industry Forward Together

If sustainable transformation is a global industrial revolution, then Ken Hsi, Chief Marketing Officer of HSIN CHONG GROUP, is standing on its front line. As a key component supplier to some of the world’s leading automotive brands, what he faces are not aspirational discussions but stringent requirements directly tied to contracts: carbon footprint audits, material traceability reports, and zero-waste commitments, each one linked to the survival of orders.

Hsi’s position reflects the reality for many of Taiwan’s “hidden champions” embedded within global value chains. Yet he does not view these pressures as burdens to be passively shouldered. Instead, he sees them as an opportunity to lead the industry in upgrading. For him, strict standards are not obstacles but the foundations of a competitive moat. He is acutely aware that sustainable transformation is never a task that a single company can accomplish in isolation. Real progress comes only when partners across the value chain move forward together.

“Sustainable business cannot be achieved by one company alone. You must bring together your upstream and downstream partners, your customers, and your suppliers so that genuine transformation can happen across the supply chain. The question is how to shape the supply chain into what you want it to become. In my view, you must begin with a blueprint, and then work collectively on how to reach the destination,” he explained.

Chenwei Huang, General Manager of JAN CHENG LIGHTING CO., LTD.: Finding New Opportunities in the Green Transition

While many companies embark on their sustainability journey under the pressure of supply chain demands, there is another, markedly different path driven by the foresight and decisiveness of leadership itself. This path is often more arduous, as it requires leaders to challenge entrenched habits of success without external compulsion, and to search for second or even third growth curves for businesses that already hold a leading position in the market.

For Chenwei Huang, General Manager of JAN CHENG LIGHTING CO., LTD., sustainability has been less about external pressure and more about proactive exploration from within. She astutely linked the energy-saving essence of lighting products with the emerging opportunities of carbon credits, successfully transforming sustainability from a cost item into a new source of value. This shift not only demonstrated her decisiveness as a leader but also embodied a mindset that turns defensive compliance into proactive strategy.

For Huang, this was more than a business manoeuvre. It was a profound shift in thinking, a redefinition of the company’s core value proposition. Under her vision, the DANCELIGHT brand evolved from being seen merely as a “high-quality, high-efficiency lighting brand” into a provider of “sustainable energy solutions with asset-creating potential”. This repositioning created an additional growth curve for the enterprise and offered a striking example of how leaders can redefine the market by turning potential challenges into opportunities at moments of paradigm shift.

“I see sustainable transformation as an ongoing process. Every strategy, every action, and every reflection along the way eventually accumulates into a larger blueprint. I once studied geopolitics, never expecting that a decade later this knowledge would become directly relevant. Remember, no effort you invest at the time ever goes to waste,” she reflected.

Tzu-Cheng Lin, Special Assistant to the Chairman of Fu Tsu Construction: The Extent of Transformation Depends on the Determination of Leadership

For decades, the construction industry has played a central role in national economies, contributing significantly to GDP. Yet beneath this appearance of stability, structural crises are gradually emerging. An ageing workforce, the difficulty of attracting new talent, and long-standing stagnation in productivity have left this traditional giant under mounting pressure to transform. It is within this context that Tzu-Cheng Lin, Special Assistant to the Chairman of Fu Tsu Construction, sees an opening created by technology.

In Lin’s view, if the construction sector merely seeks to preserve the status quo, decline is inevitable. “Traditional models can no longer respond to the challenges of the era. The adoption of new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, is not simply a tool for greater efficiency, but a driving force capable of redefining the rules of the industry,” he explained. AI, he argued, is already reshaping how buildings are conceived, managed and constructed, and is fast becoming the engine of future productivity in construction. Faced with such a technological tide, Lin insisted, the only choice is to embrace it fully.

He further underlined that such transformation cannot be confined to the remit of an IT department. Rather, it is a cultural and operational revolution that must permeate the entire organisation, led from the very top. “Echoing the perspectives shared by other speakers, in our company, the changes brought by AI are not projects to be outsourced. They are responsibilities that leadership must personally take on. I believe true transformation can only stay on the right course when leaders themselves step forward and lead it,” Lin concluded.

Only When Individual Efforts Are Channelled into Systemic Impact Can Their Value Be Amplified

Jeff Tsai, Chairman of GTB Group, sponsored the use of the GTB Business Centre as the venue partner for the forum. As an entrepreneur with decades of experience in property development and commercial space, he emphasised that space is more than just a physical structure; it is a stage for advancing industry and fostering talent exchange.

“The design concept of the GTB Business Centre is to integrate international standards of professional planning with the practical needs of local enterprises. Our aim is to create a crossroads where ideas, resources and innovation converge. We are honoured to witness a new generation of leaders engaging in dialogue here and shaping the direction of the future. It is only on such platforms that Taiwanese enterprises can truly realise the resonance of legacy and innovation, while connecting seamlessly with the international stage,” Tsai remarked.

Ali Ying-Che Hsieh, President of the Cambridge University Taiwan Alumni Association and Professor at the Institute of Technology Management, National Tsing Hua University, turned the focus to the inner life of leaders. He argued that even with the most sophisticated platforms and carefully designed systems, the real force driving transformation ultimately depends on the sense of mission within leaders themselves — that unmistakable spark in their eyes. It is this mission that converts strategies into organisational conviction and ideas into concrete action.

“The Cambridge tradition of education often reminds us that leadership is not merely a matter of governance or managerial skill, but of sustained reflection on the question of ‘why’. Many Cambridge alumni who have shaped global affairs did so not because they held the most advanced tools or frameworks, but because they led with firm values and a global perspective, guiding their organisations to find direction in uncertain times. In the same way, only when business leaders internalise their mission as a personal conviction, and use it as the foundation for building consensus, can transformation transcend generations and continue to create international impact,” Hsieh observed.

Harry Hsu, Secretary-General of the Cambridge University Taiwan Alumni Association and CEO of 《The Icons》, set out a strategic framework for the next stage of action. He argued that once the right environment and the right people are gathered, the key is no longer mere exchange, but rather how strategic alliances and effective communication can convert consensus into sustainable impact. In an era of intense global competition, he emphasised, the new generation of entrepreneurs cannot afford to “fight alone”, but must instead integrate their fragmented efforts into narratives that can be recognised and trusted internationally.

“If the concrete practices of business transformation can be effectively amplified through media, forums and cross-border communities, they will not only attract international investment and collaboration, but also enable local cases to become part of the global agenda. When a story can be understood and resonate across cultural contexts, it ceases to be the experience of a single enterprise and becomes a collective asset with the power to generate a chain reaction. This is precisely the value that new-generation entrepreneurs must demonstrate in the face of competition: transforming local practices into international language, and channelling individual efforts into systemic impact. Stories must be carried beyond borders if value is to be magnified,” Hsu concluded.

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On the afternoon of 7 August 2025, “The Compass, the Flame, and the Future She Shapes” forum was held at the British Office Taipei. Organised by the University of Cambridge’s global alumni network, CAMentrepreneurs, and co-hosted by the Cambridge Taiwan Alumni Association, Oxford Taiwan Alumni Association, the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei (BCCTaipei), and UK-based global entrepreneurship media《The Icons》, the event brought together leading figures from academia, industry, venture capital, and sustainability. Through the deep insights and dialogues shared by the speakers, participants collectively mapped out a path towards the future, one defined by both courage and wisdom.

Professor Huey-Jen Jenny Su, Honorary President of NCKU: Respect the Truth, Value Education, and Cherish Professionalism

The forum opened with a speech by Professor Huey-Jen Jenny Su, the first female Honorary President of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), who began by focusing on how to bring more support to the new generation. Addressing the theme of “leadership,” she shared heartfelt reflections drawn from her own journey through challenges.

As the first female president in nearly a century at NCKU, and notably someone with neither an engineering background, alumni status, nor a large clinical discipline affiliation, Professor Su candidly described herself as “the president the university was not prepared to meet.” This unexpected role meant her leadership path was challenging from the very beginning, yet it also forged a leadership philosophy of remarkable clarity:

“Leadership comes without a personal agenda. Its essence lies in ensuring collective respect for truth, valuing education, and cherishing professionalism. I believe that as long as one’s convictions remain steadfast, time and circumstances will ultimately offer fairness and goodwill. In my own development, what has always guided me is a foundation in evidence and facts. Especially when facing formidable challenges, truly respecting professionalism is the hardest, yet most crucial, thing to do.”

This conviction became her compass in moments of crisis. From the devastating Weiguan Building collapse in southern Taiwan to the global COVID-19 pandemic, she led NCKU through one historical test after another. When confronted with challenges she had “never experienced and never anticipated,” she consistently chose to anchor her decisions in respect for professionalism and commitment to facts. Over time, these principles crystallised into resilience, a force that she regards as the core of her leadership ethos:

“When we talk about leadership, what we can demonstrate is not only the gentle resilience often associated with women, but also the strength to uphold truth in times of chaos, to build consensus in moments of crisis, and to find direction amid uncertainty. It is this strength that allows diverse voices to converge in wisdom, to open new paths through challenges, and to see the many possibilities that the future may hold.”

NYCU Associate Professor Grace Chan Hsiao: When AI Meets Life’s Vision, It Becomes a Moment to Find Your True Self

If President Huey-Jen Jenny Su set the grand compass for leadership during the forum, Associate Professor Grace Chan Hsiao of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) turned her gaze toward the inner flame that fuels it all, which is personal vision. Standing at the crossroads of education and technology, she posed a question that strikes at the heart of our times: As AI takes on more and more tasks, what remains that it can never replace?

This question stems from a decade of in-depth conversations with leaders, a journey that has left her continually drawn to one insight: every remarkable instance of leadership springs from a strong and clearly defined inner sense of purpose. Yet, in an era awash with information and competing values, discovering one’s own “true north” has become more challenging than ever.

“For the past ten years, all my life’s inquiries have revolved around one central question: What is the true vision for my life? I have found that while AI can accomplish many things, it cannot determine your unique vision. Dreams may be a word for the young, but a true vision must be rooted in your authentic nature and deep-seated motivation. It is not fantasy, but a blueprint that drives you to act,” she explained.

Based on this understanding, Grace Chan Hsiao is developing an innovative AI-powered education system designed not to hand out standard answers, but to serve as a guide. The journey begins with a deep exploration of the user’s authentic self, uncovering core values and motivations. From there, the AI generates three possible “future vision” scenarios as starting points for reflection. Finally, the system helps transform the chosen vision into a tangible “vision story” that can be seen, felt, and shared.

For Grace Chan Hsiao, this is more than a technological experiment in education. It is a profound response to the fundamental questions Who am I? and Why am I here? “Only when a person sees their vision clearly can they possess the most powerful and authentic form of leadership and entrepreneurial drive in a world defined by change.”

NYCU Associate Professor Sirirat Sae Lim: Demonstrating an Entrepreneurial Spirit Begins with Embracing “Constructive Failure”

After a series of inspiring talks, Associate Professor Sirirat Sae Lim of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), speaking via a pre-recorded address while on an overseas business trip, offered a sharp observation about a deep-rooted paradox in Taiwan’s innovation education.

Citing the OECD PISA report, she noted that among 75 participating countries and regions, Taiwan ranked first in the “Fear of Failure Index,” with 89% of students worrying that failure would invite criticism or be seen as a denial of their talent and future. Yet in the real world of entrepreneurship, failure is almost inevitable, with more than 90% of startups unable to succeed with their initial business model.

“In a culture that strongly avoids failure, how can we teach students to face the setbacks that inevitably come with entrepreneurship? Education should not only teach knowledge but also courage, curiosity, and the ability to remain composed in uncertainty. We need not just classrooms that aim for success, but environments where students dare to try and dare to venture.”

To address this, she proposed a “Constructive Failure” teaching model, where failure is not only permitted but expected. Students take on real-world challenges, attempt, stumble, and then reorganize their strategies through reflection. She acknowledged that the process can be unsettling, emotionally intense, and occasionally chaotic, but it is in such conditions that learning becomes profound and transformative.

Her philosophy is best illustrated by one of her former students who co-founded a business during university. Starting from nothing, the company now generates over NT$100 million in annual revenue. One of his designs a pen became the only Taiwanese product listed among TIME magazine’s 200 Best Inventions worldwide. Despite his busy schedule, he still returns to her class each year to share his real-life journey of drawing strength from repeated failures.

“The courage to embrace failure is an indispensable fuel for igniting the next generation’s spirit of innovation. I believe entrepreneurship education today should be recalibrated toward a new direction, one that guides young people onto a truly fearless and boldly innovative path.”

CISL Head of Innovation Programmes Viola Jardon: From Cambridge to Taiwan, Transforming Local Innovation into Global Sustainability Solutions

Viola Jardon, Head of Innovation Programmes at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), opened her talk with a steady yet engaging tone, immediately drawing the discussion back to her deep connection with Taiwan. “This is not only a conversation about sustainability, but also a two-way dialogue between my homeland and the world,” she said.

Her story is one of a journey from Tainan to the global stage. “When I was shortlisted for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in the UK, what I felt was not personal glory, but the excitement of finally bringing Taiwan to the world. At that moment, my thought was, I have made Taiwan visible to the world. This honour does not belong to me alone, it belongs to Taiwan,” she recalled.

For Viola, collaboration has never been a one-way transfer of resources. She noted that Taiwan excels in many areas, citing the achievements of President Su at National Cheng Kung University as an example that has moved people both at home and abroad. “What I want to share here is that the greatest strength of CISL lies in its ability to connect governments, regulations, finance, industry, and academia across countries. I also hope that through this non-political platform, the world will see that Taiwan is not only about semiconductors, but also has diverse and powerful innovation capabilities,” she said.

She further shared that global beauty leader L’Oréal has launched a €100 million sustainability innovation investment programme, with CISL serving as its global delivery partner to identify top tech start-ups capable of solving supply chain challenges. “L’Oréal has already listed over one hundred technical needs. We will select twelve to fourteen start-ups from around the world, and those chosen will enter pilot collaborations with L’Oréal. This is a golden ticket to the global market. I sincerely hope that the final list will include companies from Taiwan.”

As a sustainability innovation leader who has travelled from Taiwan to the world stage, Viola Jardon is not only telling a personal story. She is building a bridge that directly connects Taiwan’s most promising innovations with the world’s most urgent sustainability needs. Her sincerity and drive not only energised the room, but also made it clear to participants that the path from local to global is closer than they might imagine.

The Connection Between the UK and Taiwan Runs Deeper Than Most Imagine

As one of the co-organizers, Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei (BCCTaipei), Vicki Wu, delivered a speech that broke the stereotype of international chambers as overly formal and revealed the vast, opportunity-filled ecosystem behind it.

“Many people in the past may have thought that the role of an international chamber was limited to networking, but the relationship between the UK and Taiwan runs deeper than most imagine. Taiwan is the third-largest market in the world for UK whisky exports, and this connection is so strong that when Scots hear ‘Taiwan,’ they roll out the red carpet. All the alumni here are important partners in achieving our mission, and we hope everyone can work together to expand this platform.”

This vision of transforming a traditional organization into an open platform was further elaborated by Ali Ying-Che Hsieh, President of the Cambridge University Taiwan Alumni Association and Professor at the Institute of Technology Management, National Tsing Hua University. He emphasized that this year, the association has placed special focus on breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive community:

“We are working to transform the alumni association from being merely a social gathering into an open platform. The Cambridge Alumni Association not only serves alumni but also welcomes anyone interested in sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship to find opportunities for collaboration and resonance here. What we aim to build is a space where all participating organizations and individuals can thrive together.”

Harry Hsu, Lead Organizer of CAMentrepreneurs Taiwan, Secretary-General of the Cambridge University Taiwan Alumni Association, and CEO of《The Icons》, an international entrepreneur media based in the UK, highlighted the concept of “Cambridge Plus”:

“Cambridge Plus is the key force behind why CAMentrepreneurs forums can flourish in so many countries. We open the doors to all like-minded partners, bringing together the depth of academia, the strength of industry, and the fusion of global vision with local passion. CAMentrepreneurs organizations and alumni associations across countries often meet online to explore ways for entrepreneurs worldwide to truly engage in each other’s lives. In the future, we will share more cross-sector exchange initiatives, and we welcome all interested friends to join us.”

Building the “Cambridge Plus” Ecosystem to Shape the Future Together with Women

The forum titled “The Compass, the Flame, and the Future She Shapes” not only brought together a line-up of exceptional female speakers, but also highlighted the rise of a new leadership paradigm – one that blends resilience, empathy, authenticity, and inclusivity.

As profound reflections on leadership, vision, courage, and action converged, the discussion returned to the driving catalyst behind it all – the core spirit of CAMentrepreneurs, “Cambridge Plus.” Founded in 2016 by Cambridge alumnus Richard Lucas, the CAMentrepreneurs global network has since ignited the spark of innovation in over 63 cities worldwide.

Its success lies in the team’s deep understanding of “platform thinking,” moving beyond the traditional model of an exclusive alumni club. By breaking down the walls of elite institutions and transforming them into open, co-creative spaces, “Cambridge Plus” has come to embody limitless possibilities and connections.

This forum in Taiwan was more than just an exchange of ideas – it was a declaration of the future. When local resilience meets global innovation, an infinite horizon unfolds, and that future will be shaped by these women, alongside all those they have inspired.

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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.