The launch of the New Southbound Policy is a reorientation of Taiwan's role in Asia’s development, and aims to create future value. In line with the Executive Yuan's "New Southbound Policy," the MOST encourages domestic colleges, universities and academic research institutes to set up "Science and Technology Innovation Centers" (STICs) with local institutions in the target countries, which have become the hub-centers of the MOST. We hope to use Taiwan's strengths and influence in science and technology to promote innovations and to nurture talents. Since 2017, twelve overseas Science and Technology Innovation Centers have been launched in a variety of sectors.

This month’s issue focuses on five of these STICs, namely Taiwan and Sri Lanka environmental change sciences, southeast Asian ethnicities, cultures and societies between Taiwan and Indonesia, Taiwan-Philippines joint water quality research, Taiwan-Thailand medical technology, and agricultural science and technology innovation cooperation in Vietnam. The highlights provide readers with an understanding of how STICs can leverage Taiwan's advantages in scientific research and development links with the new southbound countries to make contributions and achievements for the New Southbound Policy.

Chin-Chang Hung & Kamal Ranatunga

Taiwan and Sri Lanka Environmental Change Sciences and Technology Innovation Center- a Preliminary Survey of Nutrient and Carbon Dynamics in the Coastal Zone of Sri Lanka

Chiang Bien

Austronesian Connection Between Taiwan and Indonesia

Tsair-Fuh Lin

Lifting the Veil on Drinking Water Safety in Laguna de Bay - Taiwan-Philippines Joint Water Quality Research and Innovation Center

Duu-Jian Tsai

Interactive Reconfiguration of Medical Development in Southeast Asia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Shyi-Dong Yeh

Taiwan Assistance Creates a Road Leading to a Papaya Kingdom for Vietnam