National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) signed a memorandum of understanding on Jan. 24 with Mitacs, a Canada-based not-for-profit, touting their determination to promote academic and university-industry cooperation between the two countries.
The partnership, which was signed by Jesse Chen, CEO of NCKU Global Research and Industry Alliance (GLORIA), and Lissa Matyas, Mitacs’ Vice President of International Partnerships, targeted their graduate and doctoral students as well as postdoctoral fellows, providing the opportunity of four- to six-month internships.
Under the MOU, students are entitled to a scholarship of 15,000 Canadian dollars to conduct research internships with industry partners in Taiwan for Accelerate program. 6,000 Canadian dollars is provided under the Mitacs’Globalink program for students willing to conduct research projects in the opposite country at a partner university. Both party can send 50 participants each way to for these two programs.
NCKU President Jenny Su witnessed the signing ceremony and praised it as a milestone in cooperation as Mitacs has long been partnering with 60 institutes and over 6,000 industry partners in Canada while the collaboration not only can strengthen research capability but also enhance industry-academic development to establish and support high-growth enterprises.
“The program links the R&D to the domestic and international innovation and talent resources which empower the enterprises to form the strategy for upcoming challenges and turning a new chapter in Taiwan’s economic development. Such cooperation cannot be achieved without the assistance of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office (TECO) along with the help of the Science and Technology Division, TECO in Canada.”, Chen said.
Matyas noted that Mitacs is delighted to be signing this very important partnership agreement with GLORIA NCKU. “We see huge benefits for connecting our innovation ecosystems and collaborating on research activities as well as supporting brain circulation in both directions to develop the next generation of innovators. We look forward to a strong and lasting partnership.”
GLORIA NCKU was established in late 2017 with the award from Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. Nearly 20 experienced professionals from the industry have been recruited to assist GLORIA to forge and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships between the school and corporations worldwide.
Established in 1999, Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation for business and post-secondary institutions. Working with over 65 universities, thousands of companies in Canada and abroad for 20 years. Mitacs builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada and abroad for industrial research placements for graduate student and Postdoctoral fellows.
