MIT REAP GLOBAL COHORT 11 – TEAM HUALIEN

(中央社訊息服務20241205 15:24:16)

The MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (MIT REAP) has announced that Hualien is participating in its Global program, Cohort 11, launching November 2024. Over the next two years, through MIT REAP, the Hualien team will learn and adapt the frameworks developed by MIT to accelerate innovation-driven entrepreneurship (IDE) in their region.

MIT REAP is a global initiative that engages with communities around the world to supercharge IDE ecosystems and transform economies. The Global program employs an evidence-based “team” approach, translating MIT research and insights into a practical, actionable, and strategic framework that convenes and educates key stakeholders, and empowers regional leaders to drive meaningful, long-term economic and social change.

MIT REAP Global teams participate in a two-year program focused on accelerating innovation-driven entrepreneurship (IDE) in their regional innovation ecosystems and are provided opportunities to collaborate with teams within and across their Cohort.

“We’re thrilled to welcome leaders from such a diverse group of regions into Cohort 11,” said Travis Hunter, Director of MIT REAP. “Now in our twelfth year, we look forward to sharing the learnings and impact of our global alumni community with our incoming teams and seeing the momentum they will bring to their own regions’ IDE ecosystems.”

Regions from across the globe apply for admission to MIT REAP’s Global program with a particular “urgency for change” or problem area in their region’s overall system that they want to address. The MIT REAP faculty then work with each team to overcome the regional challenges that are hindering the growth of its IDE ecosystem by identifying the region’s comparative advantages and the acceleration mechanisms required to promote IDE.

MIT REAP Team Hualien will work in conjunction with its fellow Cohort 11 teams which will be announced in November. MIT REAP Team Hualien also joins the program’s community of more than 100 global regions, allowing them to learn from alumni Teams that have already begun to implement strategic interventions in their regional ecosystems based on the MIT REAP framework. This collaborative global model empowers the participating regions to discover and implement disruptive methods to solve deep challenges.

Hualien: A True Gem of Taiwan, Committed to Wellbeing and Innovation
Magistrate Chen-Wei Hsu highlighted that Hualien is a true gem of Taiwan, celebrated for its unique terrain that preserves its pristine environment. Notably, Hualien boasts the best air quality in Taiwan—an invaluable and irreplaceable asset that enhances its reputation as a haven of natural beauty.

Addressing the challenges posed by the April 3 earthquake this year and an aging society, Magistrate Hsu underscored Hualien's resilience. The earthquake not only tested the region but also showcased its self-healing capabilities to the world, fostering international goodwill and accelerating recovery efforts. Looking ahead, Hualien is committed to advancing its "Wellbeing & Health" industries. The Hualien County Government is dedicated to fostering collaboration with government agencies, industry leaders, academia, and research institutions to nurture entrepreneurship and drive sustainable development.

MIT REAP Team Hualien

MIT REAP Team Hualien is championed by Chen-Wei Hsu, Magistrate of the Hualien County Government, and co-championed by Mr. Kun-Ju Wu, Director General of the Research and Administration Department, Hualien County Government, and Dr. Samantha Huang, Secretary-General of the Digital Transformation Association. Core team members, who represent five major stakeholder groups—government, university, corporate, risk capital, and entrepreneurs—also include Jacob Tsao, Deputy Director of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) Industry Services Center; Sean Tan, Special Assistant to the CEO of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation; Dr. Chi-Cheng Li, Director of the International Medical Center at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital; Benjamin Liao, Chair of Forte Hotel Group & PATA Chinese Taipei Chapter; Dr. Yu-Chao Huang, Vice Dean of the Office of International Affairs at National Dong Hwa University; Violet Lo, CEO of Common Good Innovation Consulting; and entrepreneurial representative Dr. Roy Cheng from ITRI.

MIT REAP Team Hualien want to achieve the specific goals:
• Develop an Integrated Wellbeing Health Ecosystem
• Enhance Resilient Technology Development
• Promote Global Collaboration and Innovation

Mr. Jen-Ran Chen, President of DTA, pointed out that the ultimate vision to develop Hualien as Taiwan's innovation ecosystem towards the new paradigm of well-being economy. The participation in MIT REAP is poised to bring transformative changes to the region. By leveraging the collective strengths of various stakeholders, this initiative aims to create a thriving entrepreneurial environment that drives innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development.