Innovation for Future

＂The time is always right to do what is right.＂──Martin Luther King, Jr.
　　
　　In 1970s, my late father, Mr. Yu-Ziang Hsu, had devoted himself into public welfare, and established the Far Eastern Memorial Foundation and Far Eastern Medical Foundation in my grandfather's name to set up “Oriental Institute of Technology”, “Yuan Ze University”, “Far Eastern Memorial Hospital” and “Far Eastern Polyclinic” so as to improve higher education and medical care in Taiwan.

　　In both CSR and business endeavors, Mr. Y. Z. Hsu had always focused on “innovation”.  When the Far Eastern Group planned to expand from textile to chemical fiber industry in 1968, there were two manufacturing processes to be considered, either the commonly adopted DMT technology, or the more advanced, cost efficient, but with higher uncertainty TPA technology.  Finally, Mr. Y. Z. Hsu decided to adopt the latter TPA technology, which then became the mainstream of the chemical fiber industry, and allow the company to gain early advantage.

　　The Far Eastern Group established ”Far Eastern Y. Z. Hsu Science and Technology Memorial Foundation” to commemorate the late Mr. Y. Z. Hsu fifteen years ago.  It is the first privately funded science and technology Foundation in Taiwan under the auspices of the National Science Council.  Aimed to promote scientific and technological innovation, the Foundation sponsors the ”Y. Z. Hsu Scientific Award” each year to encourage outstanding scientists, also share happiness and honor with their family.

　　The “Scientific Chair Professor Award” is to commend distinguished scholars who have extraordinary contributions to scientific research and education.  The ”Scientific Paper Award” is to select excellent academic papers published during the year.  This year, the Foundation published ”A Collection of Yu-Ziang Scientific Papers Award--Volume 6”, which includes 19 awarded papers from the 12th and the 13th “Scientific Paper Award” winners.  It will help elevate the overall scientific and technological standard in Taiwan.

　　In the beginning, “Y. Z. Hsu Scientific Award” focused on three areas: Nanotechnology, Telecommunications & Optoelectronics, and Bio-medical.  Following the evolving trend in technology, the Foundation added Green Technology category since the 6th “Y. Z. Hsu Scientific Award”, and divided Telecommunications & Optoelectronics into two categories in the 12th Award.  This year, Telecommunications is further expanded into Information and Communication Technology.

　　According to statistics of the International Telecommunication Union, over the past 15 years, Information and Communication Technology has significantly advanced.  The Far Eastern Group also operates in the telecom business.  Therefore, “Y. Z. Hsu Scientific Award” has adjusted the scope of the award, with the hope to encourage continuous innovation and breakthroughs in the telecommunication and internet business.

　　There are a lot of outstanding scientists in Taiwan, good talents need to be encouraged, and it has always been the goal of the Foundation.  “Y. Z. Hsu Scientific Award” has been held successfully for 13 years, and rewarded 207 domestic scholars in total.  Hopefully it will continue to make a difference and impact to the society in the long term.  (This text is a reprint from Chairman’s Preface of “A Collection of Yu-Ziang Scientific Papers Award.”)


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