July 29, 2016
No. 167
Professor Dr. Reinhard Hüttl, concurrently chairman of the board and scientific executive director of the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) and president of the National Academy of Science and Engineering, is leading a three-member GFZ delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany to visit the Republic of China (Taiwan) from July 28 to July 31. He is accompanied by two colleagues, Dr. Ludwig Stroink, director of the GFZ International Affairs Office, and Professor Dr. Niels Hovius. The ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host a dinner to welcome them.
The three researchers will seek to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with local scholars in fields related to the prevention of natural disasters, in particular earthquakes and landslides, and geothermal energy. They will also visit the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bureau of Energy, Academia Sinica, and National Taiwan University.
Germany is Taiwan’s largest trading partner in Europe, and Taiwan is Germany’s fifth largest trading partner in Asia, with two-way trade reaching US$14.6 billion in 2015. In recent years, the countries have maintained close relations in such fields as economy and trade, science and technology, culture, and tourism. In September 2015, the ROC Ministry of Education and the German Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder signed a letter of intent to strengthen bilateral education cooperation. Later in October 2015, the two sides announced the launch of cooperation in medicine and medical equipment. In addition, on March 24 of this year, the two countries agreed to expand the annual youth working holiday applicant quota for each side from 300 to 500, entering into effect retroactively on October 11, 2015.
The GFZ, established in 1992, plays a significant role in the German government’s formulation of related policies. This renowned scientific research institute boasts nearly 1200 staff members, including some 500 scientists and over 100 PhD candidates. (E)