Supply Chain Resilience Center at Charles University

"The opening of the Supply Chain Resilience Centre is another result of our cooperation with Taiwan. I am pleased that this cooperation focuses on the sciences, research in high technologies and their connection to the market. This can bring us closer to strategic independence and strengthen our competitiveness. Special thanks go to Charles University and the National Chengchi University, which took on the implementation of the six-million-dollar project," said Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

The Centre is being established as a joint consortium of National Chengchi University, where activities are coordinated by the International College of Innovation; and Charles University, where activities will be implemented at four faculties and coordinated by the Faculty of Social Sciences. "The coronavirus pandemic, the Russian aggression in Ukraine, and the poor availability of some essential medicines in Europe, for example, show us how fragile are the threads that connect our global community," said David Emler, vice dean for development at Charles University's Faculty of Social Sciences and the Institute of International Studies there, about the project. He added that the centre's activities focus on the resilience of semiconductor supply chains, a key segment for industrial and economic development in Central Europe.

"The role of universities is proving indispensable in addressing new global challenges. Supplier resilience is one of the important aspects of our competitiveness and also our readiness to deal with critical situations. The experts of Charles University and National Chengchi University associated in the Supply Chain Resilience Center will not only assess these patterns, they will also offer concrete solutions that we believe will contribute to the economicdevelopment of our country," said Milena Králíčková, Rector of Charles University.

Similarly, the Taiwanese side emphasises the important role of supply stability. " I am pleased that National Chengchi University can represent Taiwan in a joint effort with Charles University in the Czech Republic to advance research in the semiconductor supply chain. We are keenly aware of the importance of a stable supply of semiconductors for national security, democracy, freedom, and a sustainable future," said National Chengchi University President Prof. Tsai-Yen Li.

The activities of both universities were also praised by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Markéta Pekarová Adamová. "Thanks to the efforts of my colleagues from Charles University and National Chengchi University, the Centre for Supply Chain Resilience was opened less than eight months after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding during my visit to Taiwan. We have much in common with Taiwan. Both our countries had to earn their freedom and democracy. We have a similar experience of living in the sphere of influence of a non-democratic power. That is also why we find a common understanding in working together to protect our countries, our citizens and their prosperity. Moreover, Taiwan is a global player in the semiconductor industry. This is one of the areas in which reducing China's influence is a priority. Therefore, I believe that the results of the Centre's work will be very beneficial for all of us," emphasised Chairwoman Markéta Pekarová Adamová at the launch of the Centre.

With the development of the Supply Chain Resilience Centre, the universities are committed to studying the availability of highly skilled labour as well as to exploring the capacity of chip manufacturing itself and its sustainability, including its impact on the environment and climate in general. The Centre, which will involve experts from the Faculty of Arts, Law and Science of the University, in addition to the Faculty of Social Sciences, will focus mainly on practical and applied outputs.