TWiST at INWES-APNN 2025: Promoting Kaohsiung 2026

Group Photo of the Taiwan Delegation

1. Introduction: A Major Gathering of Women in STEM Across the Asia-Pacific

From August 20 to 22, 2025, the 15th Asia Pacific Nation Network Meeting (INWES-APNN) and the 6th International Conference for Women in Science and Technology (BIEN 2025) took place in Daejeon, South Korea. The International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) is an official scientific advisory body to UNESCO, ECOSOC, and CSW, connecting around 250,000 members across more than 60 countries.

As an active APNN member, the Society of Taiwan Women in Science and Technology (TWiST) sent an eight-member delegation led by President Ray-Hua Horng, comprising seven TWiST members and one high school student. In addition to presenting research and advocacy achievements, the delegation focused on promoting the upcoming 16th INWES-APNN Meeting, which will be held in Kaohsiung in 2026.

2. Taiwan's Annual Country Report and Impact Data

During the APNN country report session, President Ray-Hua Horng delivered Taiwan's annual progress report, highlighting work across four main areas:

• STEM Education Outreach: Organized chemistry camps, electrical engineering workshops, and AI/programming courses, reaching 933 participants with 72% female attendance. TWiST also partnered with local governments for the first time to offer courses for high school students.

• Women in STEM Networks & Gender Advocacy: Connected government, industry, academia, and non-profit organizations to host campus lectures and forums, reaching over 1,000 participants with an average female attendance of 75%.

• Gender Research & Digital Media: Continued publishing the Taiwan Women in STEM Newsletter, produced podcasts and digital picture books, and completed case studies on gender equality practices in higher education.

• International Connections & Academic Presentations: Participated in international network meetings, hosted Global Women’s Breakfast events, and successfully secured the bid to host the 2026 APNN conference in Taiwan.

In the academic parallel sessions, Prof. Shu-Jeng Hsieh (Chair of the Chemistry Department at National Sun Yat-sen University) delivered an oral presentation titled "Impact of Microplastics on Marine Biogeochemistry." Lina Bei, a sophomore at Kaohsiung Girls' Senior High School, presented research posters on tactile vibration, emotional intuition, and Explainable AI (XAI). Following a keynote session, she spoke with Dr. C. Justin Lee from the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and was invited to visit his laboratory.

TWiST President Ray-Hua Horng and Professor Chia C. Wang present Taiwan’s annual report and promote the 2026 APNN Meeting in Kaohsiung

3. Cultural Night: Promoting Kaohsiung 2026

Following the APNN handover ceremony, Cultural Night brought together 200 participants. The Taiwan delegation hosted an interactive session themed "Welcome to Kaohsiung, Taiwan for APNN 2026," designed by board member Fang-Fei Chou and Prof. Shu-Jeng Hsieh, and hosted by high school student Lina Bei.

The session featured charades and trivia based on famous Kaohsiung landmarks, such as the Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard MRT Station, the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas at Lotus Pond, and watching the sunset at Sizihwan Bay near National Sun Yat-sen University. The delegation awarded prizes including pineapple cakes packaged in handmade eco-friendly bags from a local women's association, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere.

During Cultural Night, the Taiwan delegation led a quiz and interactive games to promote the 2026 APNN Meeting in Kaohsiung to delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region

4. Site Visits

During the site visits, Prof. Chia-Chen Wang toured the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI). The delegation also visited the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and its history museum, learning about its achievements in materials science, AI, and international cooperation (such as helping establish VKIST in Vietnam), before attending the Guard Changing Ceremony at Gwanghwamun.

5. Conclusion: Looking Ahead to Kaohsiung 2026

The 15th INWES-APNN Meeting concluded successfully. The Society of Taiwan Women in Science and Technology has begun preparations to host the 16th INWES-APNN Meeting in Kaohsiung on November 3, 2026, and looks forward to welcoming international scholars and partners to Taiwan.