The contents of this year's National Development Seminar were unlike those of previous years. In previous years the Seminar discussed such diverse topics as politics, foreign relations, culture, and economics.
This year's Seminar concentrated on areas of science and technology necessary to national development. The objective: to obtain detailed practical suggestions for the development of essential technology.
Premier Sun Yun-suan, Economics Minister Chao Yao-tung, and the director of the Industrial Technology Institute, Fang Hsien-ch'i, attended the sessions, staying long and addressing the participants. "Let us know where the problems are, and please give concrete, implementable suggestions for dealing with them," was their message.
Many felt the time devoted to the sessions was too short, and proceeded to continue their discussions on into the night.
One participant remarked, "The conference was run so well I'd be happy to spend my own money for another one." A number commented, "After the Seminar is over, we will have to keep in touch and continue discussing these issues."
The National Development Seminar was launched in 1972. At first, it was mostly an opportunity for overseas Chinese scholars to become freshly acquainted with conditions in the ROC Later, the Seminar took on more of the nature of a discussion of national affairs. Topics such as internal politics, foreign relations, etc. were generally discussed, with a great variety of opinions expressed. The previous Seminars made valuable contributions. However, some have criticized past Seminars for being too broad in scope; this year the government has set up a Seminar specifically focused on technical topics closely related to the development of basic science and industry. Participating were 81 overseas experts who had in some cases prepared for the convocation after meeting with National Science Council representatives sent abroad for the purpose. Also attending were 38 domestic scholars.
The Seminar was well attended by officials of concerned government agencies and by representatives of local industries. The scholars were thus able to contribute their expertise, and get immediate feedback regarding relevant government regulations and industry capabilities. All this served to bring about pragmatic, practical proposals--the main point of this year's focused action.
The Seminar was divided into five panels: Computer Education, Electro-optical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Epidemic Disease Control, and Food Technology. Below are listed suggestions from the groups that the government is taking initial steps to carry out.
On Computer Education: Expand training at all levels to meet planned manpower requirements, especially for software experts; improve organization of the computer centers at the various universities, first doing the basic preliminary work, then expanding computer-assisted instruction.
The Electro-optical Engineering panel: Develop the electro-optical industry according to the government's draft plan, in order to encourage public and private organizations to advance laser technology; then to make this technology, in the shortest possible time, practically and commercially applicable. Several of the overseas scholars on this panel agreed to help with this work.
The Biological Engineering panel: Since Academia Sinica has already established a biological engineering laboratory, the government should mobilize industry to implement the new technologies resulting from its research. The government should also develop training programs for workers for this industry. Again, overseas scholars volunteered to help with this work.
The Epidemic Disease Control panel supported continued cooperation with foreign organizations to develop a vaccine for hepatitis B. The overseas scholars set up a continuation committee to carry on this and related work.
The Food Technology panel: Increase cooperative planning between domestic growers, producers, and exporters, increase the quality of products; reduce overhead; produce new processed foods to open new markets.
Following the Seminar, the reports of the groups were presented to President Chiang Ching-kuo, who expressed appreciation for the results, and thanked the scholars for braving Taipei's hot season to probe ways and means of accelerating the country's development. He said he hoped the overseas Chinese scholars would actively continue such contributions to the nation's development.
[Picture Caption]
Left: President Chiang Ching-kuo received leaders of the conference after its conclusion. Right: At an evening welcoming reception, Premier and Mrs. Sun Yun-suan had a friendly chat with children of the participating scholars.
1. The participants visited the children's summer computer camp run by Tamkiang University. 2. The participants viewed the launching of anti-communist propaganda balloons at Kinmen (Quemoy). 3. When the participants divided into panels, the discussions were very enthusiastic. 4. The Computer Education panel brought out many concrete suggestions in its plenary session.
Right: At an evening welcoming reception, Premier and Mrs. Sun Yun-suan had a friendly chat with children of the participating scholars.
1. The participants visited the children's summer computer camp run by Tamkiang University.
2. The participants viewed the launching of anti-communist propaganda balloons at Kinmen （Quemoy）.
3. When the participants divided into panels, the discussions were very enthusiastic.
4. The Computer Education panel brought out many concrete suggestions in its plenary session.
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