Bioscience and biotechnology lead the trend of scientific research in the 21st century. It is a high-tech interdisciplinary sector and a priority industry greatly promoted and supported by our government. In light of its significance, University Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology was established in 1999 on the campus of National Cheng Kung University. The mission of the center intends to integrate science and biotechnology talents from the colleges of science, engineering and medical science at the university. Moreover, it hopes to interact and cooperate with research institutes in the neighborhood such as the Tainan Science-based Industrial Park, the Tainan Science-technology Industrial Zone, the Asian Vegetable Research Center, the Lu-chu Science-based Industrial Park, and the Taiwan Sugar Corporation to develop and create high quality sci-tech products, to facilitate the development and prosperity of local industries, and to raise overall national business competitiveness. With rapid advancement in biotechnology in recent years, the business and industrial sectors demands for more high-ranking biotechnology talents. Therefore, the center serves not only to fulfill its responsibility for research, innovation and social service, but also to exercise its academic and educational functions to train skilled workforce of the sacred mission.

Objectives and Prospects

The short-term goal for the center is to promote the integration of on-campus laboratory research efforts and the cooperation with other schools. Its medium-term goal is to facilitate the establishment of a diversifying college of bioscience and biotechnology in the university to cultivate high-tech biotech talents for the country as part of the efforts to have biotechnology to take roots in Taiwan. And its long-term goal is to operate the center and the college of bioscience and biotechnology to become an expertise in the university and in the country. In summary, it aims to integrate the efforts of the business, government, academics and researchers in the development of high value-added products. On the other hand, it also intends to expand the view and scope of biotechnology in Taiwan and in the world.