Introduction

Technological development requires trained personnel and skillful workers, who are especially imperative to nanotechnological advent. Nanotechnology, an emerging field, that impacts many areas of science and technology, has been regarded as a catalyst for the next industrial revolution. To accelerate the research and development of nanotechnology, the government of Taiwan launched National Science and Technology Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in 2002.
In addition to research and development, this program includes a human resource development component which is in charged by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The Nanotechnology Human Resource Development (NHRD) Program is established to promote education and professional development. Under the supervision of MOE, the NHRD Program includes NHRD Program Office, K-12 Nanotechnology Education and Development Centers, Advanced Nanotechnology Education Centers, and E-Knowledge Exchange Platform.

Nanotechnology Human Resource Development Program

Main Tasks

• Integrating all works of Advanced Nanotechnology Education Centers, K-12 Education and Development Centers, and E-Knowledge Exchange Platform.
• Editing teaching materials of nanotechnology.
• Hosting activities, such as workshops of K-12 education, university student competition, etc.
• Establishing international collaboration.
• Managing administration between Ministry of Education and all regional centers.

Missions

K-12 Nanotechnology Education and Development Program

1. Training of K-12 seed teachers by offering lectures, workshops, and lab training courses, such as AFM.
2. Editing universal K-12 teaching materials on nanotechnology.
3. Promoting international academic collaboration on K-12 nanotechnology education.
4. Establishing an online Chinese/English/Japanese nanotech dictionary.
5. Collaborating with National Taiwan Science Education Center, National Museum of Natural Science, and National Science and Technology Museum to promote nanotechnology education.
6. Developing interactive multimedia teaching materials, such as “The Wonderland of Nanotechnology”.
7. Developing animated teaching materials, such as “Science Fictional Battle -- Chibi with Nanotechnology”.

Advanced Nanotechnology Education Program

1. Establishing interdisciplinary nanotechnology curriculum programs.
2. Conducting training courses on laboratory instrument operation.
3. Hosting local and international nanotechnology conferences.
4. Hosting national competitions on innovative nanotechnology and conferences on industry-academic cooperation.

E-Knowledge Exchange Platform Program

1. Integrating and displaying the achievements of all education centers.
2. Exchanging information between centers.
3. Establishing E-learning platform.
4. Publishing Nano News Letters.
5. Connecting all related networks of nanotechnology education and research.
6. Hosting online creative idea competitions for students.