Taiwan's investment in scientific R&D accounts for only 2.16 percent of its GDP, lagging behind the US, South Korea and Germany, according to a survey conducted by the National Science Council (NSC) released yesterday.
At a council meeting, hosted by NSC Chairman Wei Che-ho
According to the survey, excluding national defense related projects, Taiwan's investment in scientific R&D in 2001 was NT$205 billion, accounting for only 2.16 percent of the country's GDP.
Although the amount was slightly larger than NT$197.6 billion, it lagged behind other major world economic rivals.
NSC officials said that the average growth rate of the investment in Taiwan's scientific R&D in the last five years -- 7 percent -- was still higher than in other countries, including the US, Japan, Germany and French.
According to the survey, investment from private sector accounts for only 63 percent, which officials admitted was disappointing.
"We believe that the government should encourage private investment in scientific R&D in the future," Wei said.
The NSC has carried out the annual survey since 1981 to trace related activities in industry, government and academic circles.
By collecting data pertaining to manpower, research results, technology trades and academic performance, the survey reflects the status quo of Taiwan's scientific R&D and is also an important reference for policy-makers.
In 2001, according to the survey, manpower had increased 0.6 percent to 138,409.
In terms of the publication on Science Citation Index (SCI) journals, Taiwanese scientists' efforts was ranked the 17th in the world in 2001, two places higher than in 2000.
In 2001, officials said, 10,635 research papers produced by Taiwanese scientists were published on SCI journals.
In terms of Engineering Index (EI) journals, NSC officials said, Taiwanese engineering scientists' performance was ranked 10th in the world because 5,103 research papers were published in 2001.
In terms of performance in receiving patents in the US, Taiwanese inventors' performance was ranked fourth in the world. In 2001, 5,371 Taiwanese inventions were patented in the US.
NSC officials said that Taiwan's scientific R&D has had an international focus for years.
Since December 2001, officials said, Taiwan's statistics pertaining to its scientific R&D has been included into Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the information was published on one of its publications, the Main Science and Technology Indicators.
Meanwhile, yesterday's council meeting approved the National Space Program Office's main mission for the second phase from 2004 till 2018.
The office aims at becoming the center for integrating and developing Taiwan's satellite systems and applications, conducting space science research, advancing space technology and promoting industry entrepreneurship.
In view of the office's current capabilities and the global trend toward miniaturizing spacecraft, NSC officials said the office will emphasize on developing small satellites and constellations of micro-satellites.
The first phase of the long-term planning of Taiwan's space technology development, launched in October 1991, will officially end in 2006, when Taiwan's third satellite, ROCSAT 3, enters its orbit.
Taiwan's first satellite, ROCSAT 1, was launched into the space in January 1999. ROCSAT 2 will be launched in October 2003.
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