There is a world-wide shortage of semiconductor chips in recent years, and more importantly a significant lack of skilled workers in this high-tech industries is well noted, especially in the major semiconductor manufacture companies such as those in Taiwan. The solid foundation of the semiconductor industry and the pioneering efforts of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) lead to the first introduction of semiconductor knowledge dissemination at the junior high school level in Taiwan! Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, represented by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), and the main higher-education institute, represented by the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University have joined forces to promote the ‘Semiconductor Popular Science Project.’ Following successful lecture courses at Hsinchu Girls’ Senior High School, Hsinchu Senior High School, and Experimental High School, and after two exhibitions by students from these three senior high schools, the NYCU-TSMC team invited high school students to hold the ‘Semiconductor Lecture’ at San Ming Junior High School in Hsinchu City. This marks a new milestone for popular science education on semiconductors and also represents a significant step towards the goal of building a complete talent chain in the semiconductor field by nurturing talents from the grassroots level.”
This special event named “Lecture on Semiconductors by Little Sisters and Little Brothers” was held for the first time at San Ming Junior High School in Hsinchu City. The event featured two young guest speakers, Lin Chin Chin and Wen De Sing, both from Hsinchu Girls’ Senior High School, who had previously participated in the semiconductor exhibition program. Their lecture was titled “Using IC process creating Infinite and Comprehensive universe.” Another guest speaker was Chiang You Chian, a student from Hsinchu Senior High School. His lecture was titled “Do You Understand IC Design? An Analysis of Contemporary Chip Architecture.” The event aimed to further promote semiconductor knowledge among students and provide insights into the field through these informative lectures given by the young guest speakers.
The Senior Vice President of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Chou Chien, who also actively participated in the events, expressed that one of the university’s significant roles is the social responsibility by being a “pusher” and “helmsman” in the development of high-tech industries such as semiconductors in Taiwan. National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University places great importance on the collaboration with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to promote the “Semiconductor Popular Science Project” as a strong industry-academia partnership.
NYCU aims to establish a solid foundation for AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) by pioneering semiconductor popular science courses/lectures in both higher education and secondary education. By strategically disseminating knowledge and nurturing interest among young students, NYCU is destined to foster a complete talent chain that aligns with the industry’s needs. Overall, through such initiatives and partnerships, NYCU seeks to contribute to the advancement of Taiwan’s high-tech industries and reinforce its technological prowess in various domains.
Professor Wen Kuei-Ann from NYCU emphasized that the semiconductor and IC design are the foundation of Taiwan’s accumulated technological strength over the years. Both fields require a strong academic background and have high entry barriers, making them subjects that young students often perceive as relatively difficult and challenging.
The success of the “Semiconductor Popular Science Project” was made possible through the valuable guidance and support of Vice Director Lin Chun-Rong and Manager Yang Chong-Ming from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), who have been involved in the project from the very beginning. The project also owed special thanks to the enthusiastic senior brothers and sisters (all of whom are NYCU students engaged in community service) who were led by the CEO of the TSMC Educational Foundation, HSU Jun-Lang, to visit the Taiwan Science and Technology Museum in Taichung. There, they experienced the “Semiconductor World” exhibition, which was created over three years by the TSMC Educational Foundation, allowing students to experience the essence of popular science education and contributing to the success of this initiative.
In summary, the collaborative efforts and guidance from TSMC and the involvement of dedicated students and mentors played a crucial role in the successful implementation of the “Semiconductor Popular Science Project,” helping to foster interest and understanding of semiconductor-related topics among young students.
Haydn Chen, July 2023
