In its eagerness to upgrade industry, the government has come up with catchy, dazzling slogans regarding the Internet of Things, big data, Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence (AI). It seems that these technologies are necessary for the nation’s salvation.
Instead, the government should understand that basic science — physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology — is essential to upgrading industry.
Take electric motors: Everyone wants to make an advanced electric motor, and electromagnetism is a key operating principle in such devices, so an understanding of electromagnetism is essential.
Similarly, many people admire Google’s successes, but few know that a search engine requires a technology called “string comparison,” which depends heavily on mathematics.
When it comes to manufacturing composite materials, a proper understanding of chemistry is a must to see particles dispersed evenly and homogeneously throughout a material.
To make thin film requires pressurized gas spraying techniques, which are impossible without an understanding of the properties of gases.
People studying electrical engineering often hope that one day they will be able to design high-end chips, but few know that the design of expensive chips requires a firm grasp of mathematics.
People studying telecommunications know that advances in the industry have depended on the many professionals in the sector who are highly skilled in mathematics. Without them, modern telecommunications would not be possible.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Education is planning to decrease compulsory credits for these subjects at the senior-high school level.
At universities, compulsory credits in the colleges of engineering cover a wide range of subjects, from the most basic sciences to basic understanding in specialized subjects, such as electronics in electrical engineering or unit operations in chemical engineering.
Many academics feel that engineering students do not need this “old” knowledge and instead should be in more contact with businesses to learn what technologies are in demand, but without proper training in basic science, they could not make any substantial contribution.
Electrical engineers are familiar with Hewlett-Packard and admire the company’s ability to manufacture high-end electronic devices, but few know that the company’s two founders — Bill Hewlett and David Packard — were highly skilled electrical engineers, which enabled them to design a complicated electronic oscillator.
Without a proper education in electronics, one cannot understand the operating principles of an oscillator.
Moreover, laser printers rely on a technology known as corona discharge, which one would never understand without proper training in physics.
Government officials must understand the importance of basic science and stop misleading young people to think that flashy knowledge alone will save the nation.
Take AI technology for instance. Putting aside the discussion of its importance, if the technology is important, expertise in the field still requires a firm grasp of mathematics.
To make complex robotics requires sensors, but how many factories in Taiwan can manufacture high-precision sensors? In addition, robotic arms must position themselves with precision and there can be no movement once they have stopped. All this requires knowledge.
If the nation cannot train engineers with a proper knowledge of basic science, industrial upgrading will be very difficult.
Lee Chia-tung is a professor at National Tsing Hua University.
Translated by Chang Ho-ming
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (李顯龍) decision to step down after 19 years and hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong (黃循財), on May 15 was expected — though, perhaps, not so soon. Most political analysts had been eyeing an end-of-year handover, to ensure more time for Wong to study and shadow the role, ahead of general elections that must be called by November next year. Wong — who is currently both deputy prime minister and minister of finance — would need a combination of fresh ideas, wisdom and experience as he writes the nation’s next chapter. The world that
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and
Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.