NSYSU established the Taiwan and Tuvalu Center on Marine Science and Engineering
2023-12-05
To enhance international scientific research cooperation and promote friendship between diplomatic allies, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to Tuvalu Tung-Heng Lin, the National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) delegation led by Senior Vice President Chih-Wen Kuo and Vice President for International Affairs Mitch Ming-Chi Chou, recently went to Funafuti, the capital of Tuvalu. The NSYSU delegation and Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, cut the ribbon and unveiled the jointly established Taiwan and Tuvalu Center on Marine Science and Engineering (TTCMSE).
"TTCMSE is a pioneer in international collaboration among Taiwanese academics!" NSYSU Senior Vice President Chih-Wen Kuo pointed out in his speech. It is hoped that the center can delve into the issues of coastal protection and blue carbon to enhance Tuvalu’s resilience against climate change. Prime Minister of Tuvalu Natano emphasized the solid partnership between Taiwan and Tuvalu. This exchange with NSYSU and the establishment of the Center will continue to deepen the friendship and further promote the progress of education and marine environment research between the two countries.
Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Funafuti, Tuvalu, indicated that the NSYSU team visit was during the Climate Change Awareness Week in Tuvalu, which is very meaningful. Due to the particularity of Tuvalu's geographical environment, it has been severely impacted by climate change and sea level rise. People's survival is at stake, and action to combat climate change is urgent. Taiwan's assistance in establishing TTCMSE will help Tuvalu mitigate the impact of climate change and adjust energy, contribute to Tuvalu's fight against climate change, and achieve sustainable development goals.
In the future, TTCMSE will be led by NSYSU in scientific research topics. The research center initially plans to develop in three directions, namely marine biodiversity, marine geochemical analysis, and marine engineering planning. This center hopes to improve Tuvalu's current severe issue of land loss due to coastal erosion; meanwhile, it intends to understand Tuvalu's local biodiversity through fundamental research and establish blue carbon potential development strategies.
NSYSU Senior Vice President Chih-Wen Kuo and Vice President for International Affairs Mitch Ming-Chi Chou led experts in the marine research field, including Dean of the College of Marine Sciences Te-Yu Liao, Chair Professor of the Department of Oceanography Chen-Tung Arthur Chen, Chair Cheng-Hsien Lee and Assistant Professor Chiao-Wen Lin of the Department of Marine Environment and Engineering, and Professor of the Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources Chih-Chuang Liaw participated in the unveiling ceremony, conducted preliminary inspections, and planned follow-up research details.
After the ceremony, the team met with Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu, the Minister of Public Works, Infrastructure and Environment of Tuvalu, and specified TTCMSE’s vision and objectives. They also visited the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Funafuti, Tuvalu, the floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) facilities, and the Tuvalu Fisheries Department. It is anticipated that more collaboration projects will be fostered through the discussion between the NSYSU team and Tuvalu representatives.