Wu Cheng-wen’s journey from star pitcher to Taiwan’s next science minister

Wu Cheng-wen’s journey from star pitcher to Taiwan’s next science minister

2024-04-16

In the latest round of Cabinet picks, one name that’s getting attention is Wu Cheng-wen, the next minister of the National Science and Technology Council. The minister-designate is currently president of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. He was also a star baseball pitcher in his youth. In 1971, he represented Taiwan at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Pitching for the Tainan Giants, he helped Taiwan win the boys’ baseball championship.

Wu Cheng-wen
National Science and Technology Council minister-designate
We won the championship in late August. In October, Taiwan was forced to leave the United Nations. But Little League baseball was able to bring hope to Taiwan at the time. The championship also fueled the growth of Taiwanese baseball, bringing more attention to the sport.

Voice of Yeh Chih-hsien
Former classmate of Wu Cheng-wen
I feel that he made the right choice, because his physique never quite bulked up, and he wasn’t cut out for continuing baseball. I think he still loves the game. But leading the National Science and Technology Council is just the right job for him.

After making his mark in youth baseball, Wu took the advice of his parents and teachers, dropping the sport and focusing on his studies. He was accepted to Tainan First Senior High School, and later entered the electrical engineering department at National Taiwan University. Then he earned a master’s and Ph.D. in computer engineering from the University of California, before embarking on a career as a semiconductor specialist.

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吳誠文接任國科會主委曾是少棒投手奪世界冠界

2024-04-16

新一波內閣名單，另一位受矚目的，是接任國科會主委的南臺科大校長吳誠文。大家應該都想不到，這位"準主委"當年曾是少棒國手！1971年前進美國，出戰第25屆威廉波特世界少棒賽，當時擔任台南巨人少棒隊的投手與游擊手，協助台灣奪下世界冠軍。

[[準國科會主委吳誠文]]
“雖然我們拿冠軍是八月底的時候，十月我們被迫離開聯合國，至少少棒在那個年代，帶給台灣是一個希望，後來因為這個樣子也促成台灣棒球運動發展，更受到大家關注。”

[[聲源: 吳誠文同學葉志仙]]
“我覺得他的選擇是正確的，因為後來他整個身材並沒有變壯，就比較不適合繼續打球，我想他對棒球應該還是很喜歡。去主導國科會適得其所啦。”

熱愛棒球的吳誠文，國中選擇聽從老師和家長建議，選擇讀書升學的道路，接連考上台南一中、台大電機系，畢業後更遠赴加州大學攻讀電腦工程碩博士，自此展開從棒球少年搖身成為半導體專家的傳奇之旅。

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More Cabinet appointments have been unveiled. Taiwan’s next economics minister will be J. W. Kuo, the chair of Topco Group. Kuo has over three decades of experience in the semiconductor sector, and has expanded his business across the biotech, optoelectronics, and food industries. Observers note that his areas of expertise align with Lai Ching-te’s vision for Taiwan’s economy. Other appointees named on Tuesday include the heads of the National Development Council and Financial Supervisory Commission.

Three more appointments for Lai Ching-te’s Cabinet have been announced. Topco Group Chair J. W. Kuo has been named economics minister. Tasked with economic policy and managing utilities like water and power, Kuo will play a crucial role in national development.

Cho Jung-tai
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As minister, I will ask Kuo to leverage his expertise in the energy sector to ensure a stable power supply.

J. W. Kuo
Economics minister-designate
I have an acute awareness of the problem caused by the so-called “five shortages.” However, because I was just appointed today, I will take the time between now and May 20 – and afterward as well – to consult with friends and scholars. I will provide a full report to the public later on.

Kuo has worked for years in the semiconductor sector, which is Topco Scientific’s main business. He also has experience in biotechnology, optoelectronics and environmental protection. In 2012, he founded Anyo Group, venturing into fisheries, fresh produce retailing and restaurants.

J. W. Kuo (Nov. 25, 2023)
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We also deeply understand that the semiconductor industry will influence the direction of Taiwan’s economy for the next decade. We are extremely grateful for the path that our government and our president have laid down for Taiwan’s tech industry.

Kuo’s net worth stands at more than NT$10 billion. He’s a guest lecturer at National Taipei University. Observers have pointed out that his experience, which ranges from semiconductors to biotech and health, aligns with President-elect Lai Ching-te’s vision for Taiwan.

J. W. Kuo (March 5, 2024)
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TSMC is expanding across the globe, and we should be doing the same, expanding our global influence. AI is set to become an important driver for the semiconductor industry over the next 10 to 20 years.

Kuo wasn’t the only minister revealed. Premier-designate Cho Jung-tai announced that the National Development Council will be led by Paul Liu, the former chair of PricewaterhouseCoopers business Consulting Services Taiwan. The Financial Supervisory Commission will be headed by Peng Jin-lung, a professor at National Chengchi University’s Department of Risk Management and Insurance. The new head of the Public Construction Commission will be former Yilan Commissioner Chen Chin-te. Huang Yen-nun, a scholar at Academia Sinica’s Research Center for Information Technology Innovation, will take over as digital affairs minister. Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology President Wu Cheng-wen will head the National Science and Technology Council.

Of the six new Cabinet members, five have no party affiliation. The appointment is seen as a move to achieve a non-partisan democratic coalition.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Taiwan averts power crisis after plant malfunction

Taiwan narrowly averted a power crisis on Monday. Unit 8 at Tatan Power Plant malfunctioned during the peak evening hours, removing 1.1 million kilowatts of electricity from the grid. With many generators still under repair after the April 3 earthquake, the reserve capacity dropped to a mere 3.2%. This nearly triggered power rationing nationwide. But the measure was averted due to major power users reducing their demand on the grid.

Taipower workers make a risky repair, climbing up pipes for inspection. The April 3 earthquake led to the malfunction of many power plant units. To this day, Hoping Power Plant remains inoperative, meaning a loss of 1.3 million kilowatts for the grid. On Monday evening, a unit at Tatan Power Plant also went offline, resulting in a loss of 1.1 million kilowatts. That took reserve capacity to just 3.2% during the peak evening hours, setting off an orange alert for the power supply. Taiwan was at risk of nationwide power rationing.

Tsai Chih-meng
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A water pump failure caused Unit 8 at Tatan Power Plant to shut down, removing 1.1 million kilowatts of electricity from the grid. It happened during the peak evening hours, that is, after about 5 p.m., when demand for electricity is at the highest. The incident caused reserve capacity to drop to 3.2%. TSMC has a standing agreement with Taipower that whenever the grid is under pressure, they help out. They turned on their backup diesel generators to generate electricity for Taipower.

The peak load hit 35.27 million kilowatts Monday afternoon, a record high for mid-April. Taipower had informed major electricity users and contracted firms of a potential need to reduce usage. When the malfunction occurred, big users cut back demand right away, and TSMC contributed nearly 300,000 kilowatts of power to the grid. Taipower put its hydroelectric plants at full capacity and activated parallel systems to avert a crisis.

Lai Shyh-bao
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It was clear that yesterday’s reserve capacity was insufficient. If this had occurred in July, when it’s hot and everyone has their AC on, what would’ve happened? And don’t forget that Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant will be decommissioned in July.

Tsai Chih-meng
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During the day, the plants can store energy by pumping water into the upper pools. That water can be released during the peak evening hours to quickly boost the power on the grid. We also have dynamic generation systems. According to our assessments, this year’s power supply will remain within expected levels.

Taipower moved to reassure the public about the summer’s power supply. But with the decommissioning of two units at Mailiao Power Plant and the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant from July 1, Taipower has its work cut out.

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Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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National Geographic Taiwan photo contest calling for entries

The 2024 National Geographic Taiwan photo contest has kicked off. This year’s theme is “Taiwan,” and there are seven different categories to submit works, including a new astrophotography category. FTV reporter Stephany Yang has the details.

This picture shows 72-year-old master Tu Mu-ho carving a clay god sculpture. This picture was captured by Chang Chien Yu-sung, the winner of the "People" category of the 2022 National Geographic Taiwan Photo Contest.

Lin Chien-hung, the 2022 Nature Category winner captured shots of a glass frog.

The 2024 National Geographic Taiwan photo contest is now open for submissions. Two former winners talked about their works.

Lin Chien-hung
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It took two years to shoot because, during the process of gluing the statue, he had to stop and let the soil of the statue dry.

The 2024 National Geographic Taiwan photo contest has kicked off. This year’s contest calls for entries taken in Taiwan. Works can be submitted in several categories: “People,” “Places,” “Nature,” “Ecological Sustainability,” “Youth Group,” “Bird,” and for the first time “Astrophotography.”

Lee Yung-shih
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The biggest feature of this year’s National Geographic Taiwan photo contest is that firstly, we added an astrophotography category. It’s for photos of deep space, the Solar System and the skies. We hope to invite more photographers who pay attention to wild animals and shoot photos of wild animals in a friendly way and ethical way.

Giant Liou
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We encourage everyone to go to a place with less light pollution to capture the pictures.

The National Geographic Taiwan photo contest is now in its eighth year. Photographers can submit their entries starting April 16 till July 13.

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11 Taiwan organizations awarded Top 100 Global Innovators 2024

This year’s Top 100 Global Innovators are out. Eleven Taiwan-based organizations made the cut, making Taiwan the third most-awarded country in the world. The award’s organizer, global information services provider Clarivate, lauded Taiwan for its intellectual property strategy. The honorees include TSMC, MediaTek, Hon Hai, and the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI, which was being recognized for the eighth year.

Industry leaders stand in file, as they’re recognized for being among the Top 100 Global Innovators. This year’s honorees include TSMC, MediaTek, ITRI, Hon Hai, and Coretronic. For ITRI, it’s the eighth time earning the distinction.

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Of course we’ve worked tirelessly. We want our researchers to orient their work toward market demands, to amplify the impact of our patents and intellectual property. The hope is to monetize intangible assets. We’ve launched a so-called financing program for intangible assets. This can be of significant help to startups in their early stages.

ITRI has made a strong push to diversify and monetize patents. It’s helped small and medium-sized enterprises use their patents to secure bank financing. At the same time, it’s stayed committed to forward-looking and interdisciplinary research and development, achieving a considerable global impact. This year, ITRI received the most awards out of any Asia-Pacific research institution.

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…not just in semiconductors, which everyone knows Taiwan’s expertise in. But also high-tech areas as well, and electronics. …and Taiwan plays a very important role in that global innovation ecosystem.

Since 2011, global information services provider Clarivate has ranked the world’s top organizations in tech research and innovation. Innovation is measured by factors like the number of patents, the quality of the patented ideas, and their impact. This year’s list recognized 11 organizations in Taiwan, which were chosen among 1.1 million organizations worldwide. Taiwan ranked third in the world for the fourth consecutive year.

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Meet Coca, Taitung County Fire Department’s best trained rescue dog

Since last week’s 7.2 earthquake in Hualien, much media attention has been devoted to the work of rescue dogs in locating victims trapped under rubble. Dog handlers say that training these dogs is no easy task. According to the Taitung County Fire Department, suitable dogs have to like to eat and play in order to be able to undergo more than 1,000 hours of training. They must also care for humans, and ignore potential distractions from other animals.

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Dogs like Coca love to eat and play, so that made training easier. For example, to train search skills, we use foods and toys that Coca likes, to catch the canine’s attention. That way the dog will want to play.

The Taitung County Fire Department has seven rescue dogs. They include Coca, a black Labrador that has passed the International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation’s Rubble Test Level B, the most advanced evaluation of its kind, as well as the MRT, or mission readiness test. Among others in Taitung is also Dawson, a Labrador retriever that passed the IRO’s Rubble Test Level B.

After passing the IRO’s Rubble Test Level B, Coca was eligible to take the mission readiness test. Last December, Taiwan hosted for the first time the IRO’s mission readiness tests for the Asia region. Coca took part in the tests, and cleared evaluations for strenuous assessments in 81 skills lasting 36 hours to attain the highest level of certification for a rescue dog. That has made Coca the top choice to dispatch by the county government.

Lee Yen-chun
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Conditions in real rescue missions tend to be more intense, so the dogs really have to go through this kind of training. When you have a dog, you must really take care of it, just as if it were a child of your own. I read a lot of books to take care of Coca.

The handler says training a rescue dog requires as much attention as raising a child. Every step along the way prepares the dogs for any disasters that may come, building up skills that could save people’s lives.

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