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NSC set to begin selecting summer 'trekkie' interns

"Recognizing the fact that biotechnology could be Taiwan's next big sector, the council has also adjusted the number of interns in that industry."

Joseph Yang, National Science Council official

The 2008 Taiwan Tech Trek project will start accepting applications on Tuesday for a program that provides young Taiwanese expatriates with summer internships at leading domestic companies and institutions.

Officials at the National Science Council's (NSC) San Francisco branch said that applications for the program can be submitted between Tuesday and Feb. 13. Selected candidates will do their internships from June 26 through Aug. 16.

The council has held the "trekkies" program -- a nickname for Taiwanese expatriates aged 18 to 30 who are studying overseas -- since 2005.

The program was created to encourage local organizations in the public and private sectors to hire second-generation Taiwanese and encourage them to stay and work in Taiwan.

After running the program for three years, however, organizers were asked by participating companies and institutions to raise the acceptance standards for the interns.

"The group this year is limited to 200 students, 100 less than in past years. Only those who have finished their sophomore year in college are eligible," council official Joseph Yang (楊啟航) said.

Yang said the internships this year would be more "balanced" in terms of disciplines covered, as more institutions involved in the humanities and social sciences -- such as the National Palace Museum and the National Museum of History -- have agreed to offer internships.

"Recognizing the fact that biotechnology could be Taiwan's next big sector, the council has also adjusted the number of interns in that industry," Yang said.
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