11.2021 Leader's Remarks
Far Eastern DNA - Technology and Innovation
From Far Eastern Y. Z. Hsu Science & Technology Memorial Foundation /
The Far Eastern Group started from the staple textile industry, after 70 plus years of innovative operations, has now developed into a diversified conglomerate encompassing everyday life such as food, clothing, living, transportation, education, and recreation. Whether during initial establishment or operation nowadays, “Giving back to the Society” has always been the core spirit of the Far Eastern Group. It is not just a slogan, but with a commitment to social welfare through its long-term action. Among which, the annual “Y. Z. Hsu Science Award” sponsored by Far Eastern Y. Z. Hsu Science & Technology Memorial Foundation, focusing on emerging key technologies with rigorous and impartial evaluations, has gained prestige and recognition in the scientific research field and turned into a remarkable honor for scientists.
Encourage Technological Innovation Unceasingly for 20 Years
In commemorating FEG Founder, Mr. Y. Z. Hsu’s long dedication to industrial innovation and CSR contributions, the Far Eastern Group affiliates, Hsu Families and friends jointly raised funds to establish “Far Eastern Y. Z. Hsu Science & Technology Memorial Foundation” in 2001, focusing on technological innovation to promote the developments of six major emerging technologies including nanotechnology, information communication technology, optoelectronics technology, biomedicine, green technology, and artificial intelligence. These fields are the key elements impacting future social developments, such as Semiconductor Fabrication Technology Affecting the Future of Technology Industry, Impact on Aging Society through Diminishing Neurodegeneration Diseases, Coexistence and Co-Prosperity with the Environment via Green Technology, etc. The evaluation and selection of Y. Z. Hsu Science Award aims at “finding solutions in tackling current issues through innovative scientific research,” that approach has gained endorsements from scientists and researchers who praise highly of this Science Award among others.
“Y. Z. Hsu Science Award is a stimulus and incentive to jointly promote technological developments in various fields, enabling technology to drive the key strength of social developments.” said Douglas Hsu. In reference to the dilemma of talent cultivation and loss mentioned by many grantees, Douglas Hsu expressed that to study abroad is a good thing, but how to attract talents to return and make contribution is the fundamental solution, this is also the purpose of establishing “Y. Z. Hsu Science Award.” Far Eastern Group hopes to dedicate itself and provide better resources to help scientists focus on their research and studies.
Talent cultivation can not only focus on encouraging top elites, but also need to pave for the foundation, and strengthen the fundamental science education. Therefore, in addition to “Y. Z. Hsu Science Award,” Y. Z. Hsu Science and Technology Memorial Foundation has also long been sponsoring “Y. Z. Hsu Cup--International Young Physicists’ Tournament” in encouraging senior high school students to go beyond paper and pencil test learning, focus on scientific experiments, team work, English training, and logical speculations, more in line with the current new trend of international education. The “Y. Z. Hsu Innovation Forum” provides dialogue opportunities to youths, students, and elite scholars to inspire innovative thinking through cross-generation interflows and collisions.
Joint Forces in Fighting against the Pandemic Demonstrate Our Dedication to Contribute to Society
In 1981, Mr. Y. Z. Hsu established Far Eastern Memorial Hospital in Banqiao, hoping to serve the medical needs of local people. After four decades, the Hospital has become one of the most prominent Medical Centers in the greater Taipei area. It is also the vital institute to assist the society to fight against the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2021.
When cases of COVID-19 surged in May 2021, medical system was facing serious collapse. Far Eastern Memorial Hospital situated in the middle of the pandemic crisis had become the treatment center to care for the highest number of severe patients. It not only released all medical capacity to treat and care for the severe patients, but also stepped out of the hospital’s responsibilities by undertaking critical tasks including enhanced collective quarantine sites, mass rapid tests, and vaccinations. At the same time the Hospital organized “Far Eastern Home Vaccination Team” to provide “home vaccination” services to long-term bedridden and disabled elders.
What propels Far Eastern Memorial Hospital to perform such selfless dedication? “Firstly, it should attribute to the efforts of all hospital staff, who might think that ‘I can only do this much, there is no other way;’ however, Far Eastern people are philanthropic at heart—We have such dedication in our DNA.” Douglas Hsu stated calmly and firmly. The pandemic fighting process is rarely publicized, however, it involves procurement and distribution of resources and medical materials, the construction of temporary testing post, and the establishment of communication facilities, all depend on the full support of the entire Far Eastern Group with its vast resources.
The Group’s joint fighting engagement against the virus is not limited to only the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital. COVID-tech efforts are more far reaching. Far EasTone Telecommunications has been working with the Medical Center to apply the latest 5G technology combined with IoT to mobilize medical services and make them borderless. Far Eastern New Century (FENC) as the world’s largest supplier of medical-grade PE/PP and PE/PET composite fibers, provides medical raw materials including medical-grade masks, sheet for protection masks, and medical-grade isolation gowns to global market to protect the safety of frontline medical and epidemic prevention personnel.
Far Eastern Is Eager to Engage in “Green Sustainability”
The world is moving more quickly with increasing problems to be solved. How to tackle both business developments and environment protection has become the objective of sustainable operations for all enterprises, where the Far Eastern Group is actively seeking to make breakthrough in this regard.
Far Eastern New Century has developed the latest Top Green®ChemCycle technology in 2020 to transform the waste PET bottles and other waste polyester products into rTPA, the main ingredient for the polyester business, which was adopted by Coca-Cola Bottles Japan Inc. FENC has also been partnered with adidas® and Parley for the Ocean, an environmental NGO, in an “Ocean Recycled Eco Friendly Yarn Project” which intercepted, recycled and reused over 6,000 tons of waste ocean plastics. As to the application of electric vehicles, FENC is also actively developing relevant automotive components such as tire cord, air bag to contribute to energy saving and carbon deduction.
“The Far Eastern Group spans across upstream, midstream, and downstream businesses, many sections involve technology engagements. Operating businesses is already quite challenging, some enterprises might resist change to new technologies, but Far Eastern is different, we are willing to do it.” said Douglas Hsu. Despite the world is changing fast, there are always ongoing challenges. With commitment to CSR and technological innovation spirit, the Far Eastern Group wishes to join hands with the people, to not only overcome the difficulties caused by COVID-19 pandemic, but also welcome a sustainable promising future!
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