Another crucial step in the bilateral collaboration in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) between Taiwan and New Zealand was made with a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ITS Taiwan and its New Zealand’s counterpart, ITS New Zealand (ITSNZ). The MoU was signed during Taiwan delegation’s—headed by ITS Taiwan President and Chairman of CECI Engineering Consultants, Inc., Taiwan, Dr. Shih Yi-Fang—participation in T-Tech 2023, an international not-for-profit conference hosted by ITSNZ that brought together “decision-makers, experts, innovators and researchers to explore policies, trends, trials and research”. For ITSNZ, the MoU was signed by the Chair, Mr. Mike Rudge. Witnesses at the ceremony included Ms. Huang Chiao-Min, First Secretary of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New Zealand, and Ms. Lee McKenzie of the NZ Transport Agency.
Mr. Mike Rudge emphasized New Zealand’s interest in exploring the vast collaboration potential between the two countries’ ITS communities which he personally witnessed during his many visits to Taiwan, including his last year’s attendance of the 2022 Smart City Summit & Expo at the invitation of Dr. Shi Yi-Fang.
Dr. Shi pointed out that Taiwan had much to share with other countries, particularly through its advanced use of such technologies as the Internet of Things (IoT), Mobility as a Service (MaaS), AI and 5G, and others in smart transportation systems. The new MoU is a symbol of renewed friendship between New Zealand and Taiwan and a token of commitment to many more joint efforts in ITS.
