Taipei, Oct. 28 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu on Saturday presided over a preparatory meeting of the Presidential Science and Technology Consulting Committee in her capacity as the chairwoman.
A ceremony will be held on Nov. 1 at the Taipei International Conference Center to formally inaugurate the committee.
Addressing the preparatory meeting, Lu said that faced with a brand new century, Taiwan should attach great importance to science and technology development.
She said that President Chen Shui-bian in August approved the establishment of the committee and assigned her to be the head of the committee.
She stressed that the functions of the consulting committee will not conflict with those of the Cabinet's Science and Technology Advisory Group.
Lu indicated that the purpose of the Presidential Science and Technology Consulting Committee is to increase the nation's competitiveness, strengthen national security, promote the nation's long-term development, as well as advise the president on related issues.
The committee's main missions will be planning the nation's science and technology development policy; planning the application and integration of national science and technology resources; planning a national science and technology development framework; cultivating science and technology talent; as well as other functions yet to be assigned by the president.
After much discussion, the preparatory meeting picked 59 committee members from 523 names in the field of science and technology recommended by all walks of life, said Lu, adding that she believes those chosen will surely make an important contribution to aiding the president with their professional knowledge. The committee will be organized into 12 divisions, with a convenor to chair each respective division.