Academia Sinica takes a great leap forward in its South Campus (ASSC) construction! The beam raising ceremony for the second construction phase was held on March 15, with President Tsai Ing-wen and Academia Sinica President James C. Liao participating.

According to President Liao, quantum technology and climate change are key issues with global impact. Therefore, Academia Sinica plans to establish a quantum technology research center to support Taiwan as it enters the quantum era, and to establish an ocean energy research center to work towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

President Tsai Ing-wen noted, in her speech, that the South Campus will be an extension of Academia Sinica’s research and development capacities, facilitating collaboration between government, industry, and academia to balance regional development in Taiwan. The South Campus will promote research in quantum technology and circular sustainable energy, enhancing technology innovation in Taiwan and supporting sustainable development.

The Academia Sinica South Campus spans 7.3 hectares and will be constructed in several phases. In 2020, the first research building, the Greenhouse, and public facilities were completed and now house research teams from the AS Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center. Subsequent construction phases include the second and third building, to be completed by the end of this year, and a quantum laboratory, to be completed in 2023.

In addition, the South Campus will be advancing research in agricultural biotechnology, circular sustainability, as well as topics in Taiwan’s history and culture, expanding cutting-edge basic research in Southern Taiwan.