T大使1091214

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has promoted the Program of Empower Youth with Digital Capabilities (hereinafter referred to as the "T Ambassador Program") in order to accelerate the digital transformation of industries. After the two-month-long intensive interview and selection process, the MOEA organized the opening ceremony for the first echelon in northern Taiwan, to respond to the support of Microsoft Taiwan, and in central Taiwan, for Victor Taichung Machinery Works, on December 14, 2020. The opening ceremony was brimming with youthful enthusiasm and vitality. Minister of Science and Technology and Deputy Convener of the Board of Science and Technology (BOST) of the Executive Yuan Wu Tsung-Tsong, Minister without Portfolio of the Executive Yuan Audrey Tang, and MOEA Chief Secretary Chen Yi-Ling showed their support by joining the opening ceremony together from the two venues through live streaming. Their participation demonstrates that the government cares about and has high expectations for T Ambassadors.

Digital transformation has become a significant challenge for this century, on which the COVID-19 pandemic has effected a critical impact. The T Ambassador Program was created by the Executive Yuan's Office of Science and Technology to devise directions for talent cultivation and development, with the aim of quickening the pace of digital transformation among industries in the cloud era. The Program trains new graduates as seed talent for industrial digital transformation to help industry position itself for digital transformation, develop innovative business models, and enhance industrial competitiveness. The SMEA aims to facilitate the practice of digital transformation among companies through this Program. In addition to the interview and selection process, young applicants were required to pass the aptitude test and career competency assessment. After which, they were coached by mentors who have experience in international business management in devising and planning the direction and tasks of digital transformation for businesses. Moreover, the participants took part in a two-week intensive training course in northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan, as well as a 24-week hands-on practice of industrial digital transformation. Through training, these young participants built momentum for digital transformation, integrated industrial knowledge and skills into practical cases, and also closely interacted with companies' core decision-makers of digital transformation during the training. So far, more than 2,000 applicants have applied for posts as T Ambassadors.

Today is the joint opening ceremony of the first echelon, a total of 120 participants who passed the interview process. In support of the central themes of digital transformation and local training and dissemination, the opening ceremony was held in northern and central Taiwan and was live streamed. The trainees were also invited to visit the two supporting enterprises of the Program- Microsoft Taiwan and Victor Taichung. As the training kicked off, the trainees had a chance to thoroughly experience what a company needs to embark on a digital transformation journey and also learn about potential applications from best practice cases. 

In addition to the support from businesses, MOST Minister and BOST Deputy Convener of the Executive Yuan Wu Tsung-Tsong and MOEA Chief Secretary Chen Yi-Lin joined the opening ceremony in northern Taiwan, while Audrey Tang, Minister without Portfolio of the Executive Yuan, was a highlight in her role as "Audrey Cat" at the venue in central Taiwan. In the opening remarks, Minister Wu, Minister without Portfolio Tang, and Chief Secretary Chen all encouraged T Ambassadors to contribute what they have learned and to help develop industrial digital transformation. After the opening ceremony, the three officials amiably joined the group photo session with participants. Due to the precautions for COVID-19, the event organizer thoughtfully prepared masks printed with "Audrey Cat" images for attendees, making the opening ceremony even more special.

The T Ambassador Program targets university and college students who are soon to graduate (those who graduate before June 2021 and have to submit their diplomas before completion of training) or people who graduated in three years' time and are in-between jobs (those who graduated after January 1, 2017). Recruitment for the Program will continue until December 27, 2020. Young applicants looking to enhance their digital transformation skills are welcome to apply for the Program. For more details, please visit the Program's official website: https://3t.org.tw; the Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/109936570884469; or call the Program office to learn more: +886-2 -23212737 ext. 103 Ms. Fang.