Chen Chien-jen Takes Helm of Academia Sinica; VP Anticipates Academic Leap

Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen will take over as the President of Academia Sinica starting June 21. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said today that multiple global challenges are testing the resilience of Taiwanese society, and she hopes Chen will leverage his deep research background to lead the institution and shine Taiwan's academic competitiveness on the world stage.

Academia Sinica held its presidential handover ceremony today, with Chen Chien-jen assuming office as the 13th President for a term running from June 21 this year to June 20, 2031. Under the supervision of VP Hsiao, outgoing President James C. Liao handed over the official seal to Chen.

VP Hsiao mentioned that 10 years ago, Liao took on the responsibility of leading Taiwan's scientific research with the mindset of "coming home to help." Under Liao's leadership, Academia Sinica achieved world-class results in frontier fields such as net-zero sustainability, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence, deepening Taiwan's ties with the international academic community in the post-pandemic era. She thanked Liao for his decade-long commitment and the contributions of all staff, stating, "Taiwan has become better."

She noted that Academia Sinica has always been a leader in Taiwan's academia. Under Liao’s long-term vision, the institution not only deepened basic research but also responded keenly to real social needs, establishing excellence in global research and fulfilling key social responsibilities.

Regarding Chen Chien-jen, VP Hsiao described him as an internationally renowned epidemiologist and a warm, stabilizing force for Taiwan through numerous public health challenges and pandemics. She praised his rigor in public service and his empathetic approach to governance and policy promotion.

"Having him at the helm is a blessing for Academia Sinica and a key factor for Taiwan to deepen international connections and move forward steadily," said Hsiao. She highlighted current global challenges including extreme weather, geopolitical shifts, supply chain restructuring, and digital transformation, all of which test societal resilience.

She specifically mentioned concerns regarding AI, citing experts from leading AI firms like Anthropic. She pointed out that AI development requires ethics, regulatory environments, and oversight, especially concerning its impact on humanity and employment. Ensuring that regulations and ethical discussions keep pace with technological advancement is a crucial task.

VP Hsiao concluded by hoping that Chen would use his deep research insights and global vision to lead Academia Sinica in cross-disciplinary integration and breakthroughs, cultivating more outstanding talent for Taiwan and the world.