Following an open call for nominations and recommendations by the Academician Selection Committee of the Taiwan Chapter of the International Academy of Engineering (TCIAE), and subsequent review and approval on November 6th, the candidates were recommended to the IAE headquarters. While the original plan was to convene a general assembly of all Academicians to discuss and deliberate on the list of Academicians and Corresponding Academicians, due to the current political climate and travel difficulties, a meeting of the IAE Board of Representatives was held instead.

The IAE Board of Representatives convened on November 27th in a hybrid format, with both in-person and online participation. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Boris Gusev. Dr. Jenn-Chuan Chern represented the Taiwan Chapter (TCIAE) at this meeting. Dr. Gusev first reported on the IAE's work achievements from 2023 to 2024. He then highlighted the 2024 Tang Prize Laureates, the award ceremony, and Tang Prize Week events, encouraging all member countries to actively nominate candidates for participation. The Azerbaijan Academy of Engineering also presented a report on the outcomes of COP29, recently held in their country, and discussed energy efficiency issues.

Through an election process, the Board of Representatives approved a list of 15 Academicians from 8 member countries and 12 Corresponding Academicians from 6 member countries. The elected 2024 Academicians and Corresponding Academicians represent diverse fields, including aerospace, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, metallurgy, civil engineering, physics (optics), structural earthquake engineering, geology, communications, and IT.

From Taiwan, Professor Hui-ping Tserng of the Department of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University (specializing in construction management), was elected as an Academician. Senior Vice President Jen Yuan Chang of National Formosa University (specializing in mechanical and mechatronics engineering) and Professor Tzu Kang Lin of the Department of Civil Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (specializing in structural earthquake engineering and intelligent monitoring), were elected as Corresponding Academicians.

The Board meeting also approved preparations for the 35th anniversary of the IAE, to be held in May 2025, and the fifth International Kosygin Forum, scheduled for October 2025.

The 2024 Tang Prize Laureate Lectures were held this morning (28th) at the National Central Library. The six laureates: Omar M. Yaghi (Sustainable Development), Mary Robinson (Rule of Law), Joel F. Habener, Svetlana Mojsov, and Jens Juul Holst (Biopharmaceutical Science), and Hsu Cho-yun (Sinology) gathered to share the essence of their lifelong research. Under the topics of "Ultraporous Crystals for a Sustainable Future," "Rebuilding Respect for Rule of Law: An Urgent Task, a Shared Responsibility," "Glucagon-like Peptide-1," "Chemistry Matters: From A Putative Peptide to Efficient Therapeutics for Diabetes and Obesity," "Gut Hormones as Basis for Treatment of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes," and "Finding Your Way in a Disorienting World," they captivated an audience of over 400 with their profound insights and experiences.

The best way to spend a hot autumn day is to enjoy a feast of knowledge in an air-conditioned room! The "Tang Prize Week" series of events, which will officially kick off on September 26th, will include the "Tang Prize Laureate Lectures" and four "Masters' Forums," which will be open to the public free of charge. The former will be held on September 28th at the National Central Library's Multipurpose Performance Hall, and simultaneous interpretation will be provided. The latter will be held from September 30th to October 1st at four universities: National Taiwan University, Soochow University, China Medical University, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. We welcome those interested in learning from the lifelong research of Tang Prize Laureates and experiencing their wisdom firsthand to seize this valuable opportunity and register on our official website.

The highly anticipated Tang Prize Laureate Lectures will feature six 2024 Tang Prize laureates presenting on selected topics across four sessions in one day. Addressing the urgent global challenges of clean air, energy, and water, Omar M. Yaghi, the laureate in Sustainable Development, will lead the first session. In his lecture "Ultraporous Crystals for a Sustainable Future," Professor Yaghi will showcase how breakthroughs in reticular chemistry over the past three decades have revolutionized our ability to capture and store carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane. He will delve into the process of translating these technologies from laboratory discoveries to real-world applications.

Following that, Mary Robinson, the 2024 Tang Prize Laureate in Rule of Law, will deliver a lecture titled "Rebuilding Respect for Rule of Law: An Urgent Task, a Shared Responsibility." In her address, Professor Robinson will delve into the multifaceted challenges facing the rule of law, examining how authoritarianism, conflict, and disregard for international norms have undermined and threatened its very foundations. The erosion of respect for the rule of law, fueled by the recent pandemic, persistent armed conflicts, and the escalating climate crisis, has put human rights and sustainable development in a precarious position. Highlighting the critical role of the rule of law in safeguarding these essential rights, Professor Robinson will draw upon her extensive experience to issue a clarion call to the world. She will underscore that rebuilding respect for the rule of law is not only an urgent imperative but also a shared responsibility of states, corporations, and citizens alike. Only through such concerted efforts can we hope to forge a path toward a more peaceful, sustainable, and just future for all.

The Biopharmaceutical Science session will feature a series of presentations by the 2024 Tang Prize Laureates in Biopharmaceutical Science. First, Professor Joel Habener will present on "Glucagon-Like Peptide-1." Next, Professor Svetlana Mojsov will speak on "Chemistry Matters: From A Putative Peptide to Efficient Therapeutics for Diabetes and Obesity." Finally, Professor Jens Juul Holst will deliver a lecture titled "Gut Hormones as Basis for Treatment of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes." They will share the fascinating scientific journey and stories behind the research on GLP-1 (7-37), a peptide with remarkable anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects. Their talks will explore the potential of GLP-1-based therapeutics, which have benefited millions of patients with diabetes and obesity worldwide, in treating other conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and cognitive impairment, in the future.

The final session will feature Professor Hsu Cho-yun, Academician of Academia Sinica and the 2024 Tang Prize Laureate in Sinology, delivering his lecture "Finding Your Way in a Disorienting World." How can we find our place and purpose in an era of turbulent times and information overload? Professor Hsu will draw on his vast knowledge of history to compare Chinese and Western cultures, exploring their differences from the perspectives of religious beliefs, political systems, and economic development. He will delve into the complexities of world order, gleaning wisdom from the past to illuminate the challenges of the present. With his profound insights gained from a lifetime of studying history, Professor Hsu will guide us in navigating this disorienting world and finding a feasible path forward amidst global uncertainty.

The "Masters' Forums" will be held at four universities, each dedicated to a specific prize category. The laureate will deliver a 30-minute keynote speech, followed by a panel discussion with experts and scholars, fostering intellectual exchange and sparking new ideas. On September 30th, the Sinology forum will take place at National Taiwan University in the morning, with the theme "Reorienting China: From the Continent to the Oceans." In the afternoon, the Rule of Law forum will be held at Soochow University, focusing on "Contemporary Challenges on Human Rights and Global Justice." On October 1st, the Biopharmaceutical Science forum will convene at China Medical University in the morning, exploring "Contemporary Development of Type-2 Diabetes Treatment and Obesity Control." In the afternoon, the Sustainable Development forum will be hosted at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, delving into "New Advancement of Sustainability Science and Technology: The development of metal organic and related frameworks (MOFs and COFs) and its prospect."

█ Sinology
(Laureate: Hsu Cho-yun)

Date
2024.9.30 10:00~12:00   (Taiwan time, GMT+8)

Live Stream ▶︎ Youtube

Venue
National Taiwan University (Taipei)

Title
Reorienting China: From the Continent to the Oceans
* The forum will be conducted in Chinese language

◉ Event Registration

█ Rule of Law
(Laureate: Mary Robinson)

Date
2024.9.30 14:00~16:00   (Taiwan time, GMT+8)

Live Stream ▶︎ Youtube

Venue
Soochow University (Taipei)

Title
Contemporary Challenges on Human Rights and Global Justice

◉ Event Registration

█ Biopharmaceutical Science
(Laureate: Svetlana Mojsov, Jens Juul Holst)

Date
2024.10.1 10:30~12:30   (Taiwan time, GMT+8)

Live Stream ▶︎ Youtube

Venue
China Medical University (Taichung)

Title
Contemporary Development of Type-2 Diabetes Treatment and Obesity Control

◉ Event Registration

█ Sustainable Development
(Laureate: Omar M. Yaghi)

Date
2024.10.1 14:00~16:00   (Taiwan time, GMT+8)

Live Stream ▶︎ Youtube

Venue
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (Hsinchu)

Title
New Advancement of Sustainability Science and Technology: The development of metal organic and related frameworks (MOFs and COFs) and its prospect

◉ Event Registration

The 2024 Tang Prize  Week will be held at the end of September, including the Tang Prize Glory Exhibition, Award Ceremony and Banquet , Laureate Lectures, Masters’ Forum, Youth Symposia and other activities. Please pay attention to upcoming announcements and welcome to actively participate to welcome our Distinguished laureates.(https://www.tang-prize.org/owner.php )  The online links will be provided for major events and will be provided later.