In 2002, Dr. Sunney I. Chan, former Vice President of Academia Sinica, with the support of former Academia Sinica President Dr. Yuan Tseh Lee and former Minister of Education Dr. Ovid J.L. Tzeng, sowed the first seeds of the TIGP program in Academia Sinica. They envisioned a program through which young scholars could start their research/academic career in the best possible environment and be transformed into future leaders. The former Academia Sinica President Dr. Chi-Huey Wong had fully supported TIGP since his inauguration in 2006. With his support and promotion, TIGP programs were well developed and expanded to 12 research fields. To facilitate better program management, he established the Department of International Affairs TIGP Office that took charge of global academic collaboration and the promotion of higher education at Academia Sinica. The program was established to cultivate interdisciplinary research, and enhance Taiwan’s visibility in the world’s academic arena. From the outset the program has not only provided rigorous interdisciplinary training, but also placed equal emphasis on the cultivation of scientific reasoning, high ethical standards, a global outlook, and effective communication skills.
