(Fig. 1 )HIC Taiwan 2026 was held on April 24 at the Lecture Hall of the Environmental Research Building, National Taiwan University.
The conference opened with Ms. Nami Akinaga from Leave a Nest, who introduced the origins of the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference. She explained that the concept began as internal research exchange meetings within the company and has since gradually evolved into a platform for fostering interdisciplinary and cross-organizational collaboration. She further emphasized that HIC should not merely serve as a venue for presenting results, but rather as a starting point for cultivating new collaborations and continuously promoting connections across disciplines and roles, thereby advancing long-term innovation and societal implementation.
(Fig. 2) Ms. Nami Akinaga from Leave a Nest introduced the origins of the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference.
Following a brief opening ceremony, the conference officially commenced with a keynote speech by Prof. Chi-Te Liu, Director of the Institute of Biotechnology at National Taiwan University. Centering his talk on the concept of “Symbiosis,” Director Liu began with his personal academic and research journey, linking microbial ecology with environmental sustainability and social responsibility. He reflected on his academic trajectory from studying at NTU’s Department of Agricultural Chemistry to his graduate studies at the University of Tokyo, and subsequently his postdoctoral research, highlighting key transitions along the way. He shared how he initiated soil microbial research in cross-cultural and unfamiliar environments, and how this work gradually expanded into the optimization of low-carbon agricultural systems and broader biotechnological applications. The keynote underscored that scientific development should involve continuous interaction with people, the environment, and societal needs, echoing HIC’s core philosophy of integrating knowledge to address complex challenges.
(Fig. 3)Prof. Chi-Te Liu, Director of the Institute of Biotechnology at National Taiwan University gave a keynote speech "Symbiosis & ME (Microbial Ecology): Connecting Science, People, and Sustainability".
Following the keynote, Director Liu and Dr. Shuichiro Takahashi, Co-founder, Representative Director, and COO of Leave a Nest Group, officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on research collaboration and student development programs. This agreement signifies a deepening of existing exchanges and aims to promote joint research projects, short-term student exchanges and internships, international industry-academia collaboration, and the cultivation of innovative talent, thereby strengthening long-term Taiwan–Japan cooperation in biotechnology and sustainable development.
(Fig. 4) Director Liu and Dr. Shuichiro Takahashi, Co-founder, Representative Director, and COO of Leave a Nest Group, officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The “Hyper Interdisciplinary Splash” session featured fast-paced, concise presentations where speakers shared innovative ideas and practical cases. The term “Splash” symbolizes a burst of ideas, much like a splash of water. In this segment, researchers and entrepreneurs delivered 90-second presentations to spark inspiration and capture attention. Speakers presented key findings through focused slides, while audiences engaged closely and interactively, creating an intensive and inspiring exchange environment. This format not only facilitated rapid interdisciplinary understanding but also encouraged deeper discussions during subsequent poster sessions, fostering potential collaborative opportunities.
(Fig. 5) Speakers in the Hyper Interdisciplinary Splash session shared their innovative ideas and practical cases through short, fast-paced presentations
The first poster session (Poster Presentation 1), held later in the morning, served as a key platform for interdisciplinary exchange. Research teams engaged in one-on-one and small-group discussions, presenting their findings through figures and data while responding to questions in real time. These face-to-face interactions deepened interdisciplinary understanding and promoted the formation of potential collaborations. The second poster session (Poster Presentation 2), held in the afternoon, further extended these discussions, with participants continuing conversations from the morning and exploring research methodologies and application potential in greater depth. Overall, the poster sessions functioned not only as platforms for presenting results but also as starting points for interdisciplinary collaboration.
(Fig. 6) Poster Presentations: A Key Highlight of Interdisciplinary Exchange.
Lunch was served buffet-style, offering a wide variety of carefully prepared dishes. Participants enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere, engaging in informal conversations while dining. This setting not only met participants’ needs but also sustained the interactive momentum of the conference, fostering natural communication and connections among attendees from diverse fields.
(Fig. 7) Participants enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere, engaging in informal conversations during the lunchtime
The afternoon program featured two panel discussions. The first, “Developing a Resilient Society through Local Communication,” explored how technology and interdisciplinary collaboration can enhance societal resilience through local engagement. Panelists engaged in roundtable discussions, offering diverse perspectives spanning urban development, technological applications, and social connectivity. The second panel, “Rethinking Education in Taiwan through Biodiversity and Monodzukuri,” focused on aligning educational systems with industry needs, discussing how Taiwan can develop new educational models by leveraging biodiversity and its manufacturing strengths Speakers shared practical experiences and addressed audience questions, making the discussions both in-depth and applicable.
(Fig. 8A) Developing a Resilient Society through Local Communication. Panelists: Mr. Devin Wu Zongye (Taipei Harbor Angel Club), Dr. Takeshi Mizumoto (Hylable Inc), Prof. Tzen-Ying Jenny Lin (Department of Architecture, Tamkang University)。Moderator：Ms. Nami Akinaga (Leave a Nest)。
(Fig. 8B) Rethinking Education in Taiwan through Biodiversity and Monodzukuri. Panelists: Mr. Shang-Nung “Sammy” Chen (Invention Switch), Ms. Phaedra Fang (National Taiwan Museum/ICOM NATHIST), Mr. Kuowei Cheng (PanMedia). Moderator: Dr. Yevgeny Aster Dulla (Leave a Nest)
(Fig. 8B) Rethinking Education in Taiwan through Biodiversity and Monodzukuri. Panelists: Mr. Shang-Nung “Sammy” Chen (Invention Switch), Ms. Phaedra Fang (National Taiwan Museum/ICOM NATHIST), Mr. Kuowei Cheng (PanMedia). Moderator: Dr. Yevgeny Aster Dulla (Leave a Nest)
In summary, HIC Taiwan 2026 successfully established a continuous flow of knowledge—from inspiration to collaboration—through its diverse program design, including keynote speeches, short presentations, poster sessions, and panel discussions. The conference highlighted the importance of interaction and connection, spanning individual academic development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and future visions for society and education. Through dynamic exchanges and meaningful dialogue, the event demonstrated the potential of interdisciplinary research and the possibility of transforming scientific knowledge into societal value. It also catalyzed integrating the strengths of Taiwan and Japan, promoting cross-border collaboration in research, technology, and talent, and contributing to the development of a new international innovation ecosystem.
For other related reports, please refer to the following link:
1. Event report of HIC Taiwan 2026 in Japanese: https://gbp.lne.st/en/3081/
