Since forming a partnership in 2017, the German Alliance for Applied Sciences (HAWtech) and the Taiwan University Alliance  for Applied Sciences (TAItech) have united 12 universities into a dynamic Taiwan-Germany alliance. Over the years, this partnership has fostered a a variety of collaboration projects, including student exchanges, COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) projects, and double degree programs (e.g. Data Science Double Degree  Program between Taiwan Tech and Hochschule Karlsruhe). Following a TAItech study visit to Germany in the summer of 2023, this year a highly anticipated HAWtech study tour to Taiwan took place from September 3–12. The theme, "Sustainability and Green Technology," reflects an area of longstanding collaboration between Taiwanese and German universities.

Following visits to TAItech member universities in central and southern Taiwan, the delegation arrived at Taiwan Tech on September 10. Our Office of International Affairs spared no effort in organizing a comprehensive two-day program that showcased some of Taiwan Tech’s most advanced facilities and research, as well as its strong commitment to University Social Responsibility (USR).Through a series of lectures, workshops, lab tours, and field visits, the German delegation had the opportunity to engage with leading Taiwan Tech researchers, who presented their work on advanced materials, sustainable technologies, and community-driven projects tackling social and environmental challenges:

Professor CHU P. Jinn, Material Science and Engineering, expert on Coatings and Thin Films Technology
Lab-Tour: Semiconductor-based materials and their high-end applications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor TSAI Jung-Jin, Mechanical Engineering, expert in Additive manufacturing, Cold spray coating, Composite materials
Lab-Tour: Materials innovation and sustainability: From cold spray coatings towards additive manufacturing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor YOUNG CHIN-Huai, Civil and Construction Engineering, expert in Energy Efficiency Buildings, Building Integrated Photovoltaics
Workshop: 2050 NET Zero Emission target through solar heat-insulating glass technology 

Professor CHIU Chian-Kuo, Civil and Construction Engineering, expert in Deterioration Risk Management and Durability Design
Field-Trip: Revitalization and Community Engagement in  the Toad Hill Historical Area neighboring Taiwan Tech, a TaiwanTech USR Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

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One of the highlights of the program was the hands-on workshop organized by Professor Young Ching-Huai and his students, focusing on the global goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Professor Young demonstrated how his solar heat-insulating glass technology not only enhances power generation efficiency, but also provides insulation, significantly reducing the energy required for cooling buildings.This innovative technology has earned Professor Young international recognition, including the prestigious EU Marie Curie Award in 2014, and has been patented in Germany and other countries. It is expected to see widespread commercial use in the coming decade, contributing significantly to the global push for net-zero emissions and sustainable development.

The Taiwan Tech program concluded with a visit to Taipei’s iconic 101 Tower, where the delegation enjoyed panoramic views of the city and learned about the Tuned Mass Damper (TMD), a massive steel structure that stabilizes the tower during earthquakes and strong winds. The week-long tour of 16 HAWtech students and staff members, which ended with a visit to National Taipei University of Technology on September 12, left a lasting impression on the German delegation.

 “We felt very comfortable the whole time,” said Dr. Joachim Lembach, Director of the International Office at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences. "All the TAItech institutions we visited went to incredible lengths to organize an interesting program for us. All of us, students, international office staff and the professors who accompanied us, were really impressed, not only by the university campuses, the laboratories and the research projects, but above all by the wonderful hospitality and kindness of the people. Cooperation with Taiwan remains a high priority for us.”