Welcome all to the 2009 TASTA Annual Conference.  It is my honor to welcome all the distinguished guests and speakers. 

 

TASTA was founded in 2002 by a group of dedicated Taiwanese-Americans in Greater Washington, D.C. area.  The mission of TASTA is to promote the cooperation, development, and exchange of knowledge between the peoples in the United States and Taiwan in the fields of science, technology and industrial development.  To carry on our stated mission, TASTA has continuously organized and sponsored a series of activities that enhance exchange in areas of science and technology since 2002.

Last November, TASTA hosted a seminar with Dr. Ching-Jyh Shieh, who was the former Deputy Minister of the National Science Council in Taiwan.  Dr. Shieh spoke about his innovative project, which was developed to reduce railway vibrations around a Taiwan science park where semiconductors were produced in high-tech firm buildings and could not tolerate excessive vibrations.  Instead of being awarded for his contribution, Dr. Shieh lived through a two-year process of detention, trial, and eventual acquittal on July 30th of last year.  His personal experience sheds light on necessary improvements that must be made concerning Taiwan’s due process and what can be done to fix it through judicial reform.

Economic tsunami began last year and the world’s economy is currently in recovery mode. TASTA sponsored a 2008 New Year’s Eve party with academic lectures and music performances, wherein 100+ attendees enjoyed the special occasion and were encouraged to face the coming year with confidence.

This year in May, along with the Taiwan Association of University Professors and 10 Taiwanese American organizations, TASTA issued a statement against the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between Taiwan and China due to the danger the agreement poses against Taiwan’s economic and political sovereignty.  Regarding economy and free trade, TASTA has maintained a strong partnership with the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, a well-run organization with over 100 entities with business and trade interests in the United States and Taiwan.  TASTA also continually supports the establishment of the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Taiwan.  

 

On behalf of TASTA, I would like to thank Dr. Hsin-Hsiung Chang, Director of Science and Technology Division, TECRO, for his continued support.  Special thanks are also to the TASTA staff, members of executive board, and the advisors.  Their continued help and planning make this annual conference possible.

 

Thank you very much for your attendance and support.

 

Ing-Hour Lin, Ph.D.

President, TASTA