2024 TWiST General Assembly: Press Release and Media Coverage

Mar 1, 2024
4 min read

2024 Women in Science & Technology Convention

The 4th Women in Science and Technology General Assembly 2024: Creating a Diverse Vision of Technology for Love and Dreams

Taiwan ranked first in Asia in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s 2023 Social Institutions and Gender Index, demonstrating its outstanding progress in gender equality.

Since its establishment in 2011, the Taiwan Women in Science and Technology Association (TWiST) has been committed to supporting the professional development of women in science and technology in Taiwan and serving as a strong advocate for gender equality in STEM workplaces.

With the joint efforts of government, industry, and academia, TWiST held the first Women in Science and Technology Convention in 2021 to examine how the rights and interests of women in academic and industrial workplaces are often overlooked. The second convention, held in 2022, explored how industries could create more women-friendly workplaces. In 2023, the third convention invited representatives from academia and civil society in Taiwan, along with women in science and technology and women’s organizations from the United Kingdom, the United States, and South Korea, to share their experiences in promoting workplace equality online.

Building on the experience of the previous three conventions, TWiST held the fourth Women in Science and Technology Convention at National Cheng Kung University on March 9, 2024. Under the theme “Diversity and Inclusion, Thriving Together,” the event was more than a conference—it was a celebration of courage, wisdom, and innovation.

The convention opened with remarks by Ruey-Hua Horng, President of the Taiwan Women in Science and Technology Association, and Cheng-Hong Yang, President of the Chinese Institute of Engineers. Encouraging remarks from President Tsai Ing-wen and National Science and Technology Council Minister Tsung-Tsong Wu then introduced the convention’s “HeForShe” theme.

The session featured Erix Yu, President of Applied Materials Taiwan; M. K. Lu, founder of Sino-American Silicon Products Inc.; and Chih-I Wu, former General Director of the Electronic and Optoelectronic System Research Laboratories at the Industrial Technology Research Institute. From the perspectives of male industry leaders, they shared their experiences in advancing gender equality and cultivating women leaders. The discussion explored how people of different genders can work together to create a better future for science and technology.

The convention focused on the core issues of women’s empowerment, equity, diversity, and inclusion, collectively referred to as EDI. Six leaders from academia and industry shared their experiences: Huey-Jen Jenny Su, Distinguished Professor and former President of National Cheng Kung University; Shiow-Fen Tsay, Vice President of National Sun Yat-sen University; Yi-Juang Chern, Deputy Minister of the National Science and Technology Council; Sophia Cheng, Chief Investment Officer of Cathay Financial Holdings; Chi-Hsuan Sung, Human Resources Director at MSD Taiwan; and attorney Kuang Lu of Lee and Li, Attorneys-at-Law.

They discussed how they have worked to create sustainable, inclusive, and mutually supportive workplaces. They also offered thoughtful insights into how management philosophies affect career development and explored ways to balance work, family, and public service.

Representing fields ranging from science, engineering, and biomedicine to finance and law, the speakers inspired women in science and technology through a wide range of professional perspectives.

As global attention to environmental, social, and governance issues continues to grow, equity, diversity, and inclusion have become increasingly important in both industry and academia.

Against this backdrop, women in science and technology need not only greater opportunities, but also platforms where their voices can be heard and their contributions recognized.

TWiST understands that every woman in science and technology has a unique story, and that every step forward reflects determination and courage. The convention did more than connect gender equality with innovation. It also created emotional resonance and encouraged dialogue about dreams and their realization.

During the Cross-Sector Exchange Salon, every participant became a central contributor, sharing genuine stories and discussing the challenges women in science and technology face at work and in everyday life.

Topics included balancing professional and personal life, the impact of flexible working hours, workplace strategies for women in science and technology, the effects of gender imbalance in the workplace, and the creation of gender-equitable and supportive working environments.

Another highlight of the convention was the Little Scientists Camp, held concurrently for participants’ children.

The Science Education Center of the College of Science at National Cheng Kung University provided a range of hands-on activities with rich scientific content, allowing the participating children to discover the excitement of science.

In addition to contributing their expertise in the workplace, women in science and technology also play an important role in inspiring the next generation of scientifically and technologically literate citizens.

By organizing both the Women in Science and Technology Convention and the Little Scientists Camp, the event created greater understanding and resonance around the multiple roles undertaken by women in science and technology.

Together, participants envisioned a more diverse and equitable future for science and technology—one founded on diversity, inclusion, shared prosperity, and mutual support.

2024 Women in Science and Technology Convention｜https://wist2024.etop.org.tw/

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