A visiting Taiwanese official said on Thursday that Taiwanese male students studying abroad would be allowed to serve in research and development institutions as an alternative to mandatory military service if a draft bill can clear the Legislative Yuan.
Shen Che-fang (沈哲芳), a section chief of the Conscription Department under the Ministry of the Interior, made the remarks during a talent-seeking fair organized by a Taiwan delegation at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New York.
If approved by the legislature, the bill on alternative R&D service will be put into force in 2008, Shen said, adding that male students studying abroad can opt for alternative R&D service if they wish to return to Taiwan after completing their studies.
Under the bill, conscripts with R&D specialities would be entitled to work in public and private research institutions, local universities and colleges, and industrial R&D centers, as an alternative to compulsory military service, Shen explained.
According to Shen, the measure is aimed at resolving domestic enterprises' growing demand for R&D talent and upgrading the nation's R&D capabilities.
During the talent-recruitment fair, the Taiwanese delegation, led by Minister Without Portfolio Lin Feng-ching (林逢慶), also organized a seminar on Taiwan's investment climate.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, TECO Director Andrew Hsia (
Several representatives from fast-food, health food and high tech companies that intend to invest in Taiwan also delivered briefings on their business operations and desired investment targets.
Before arriving in New York, the delegation, organized by the Science and Technology Advisory Group under the Executive Yuan, the National Science Council and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, visited Los Angeles, Silicon Valley and Boston.
The mission, made up of government officials and representatives from several academic institutions and leading high-tech businesses.
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