NEWS
International Affairs
- Publish Date：2025-09-09
NYCU and University of Arizona Sign Declaration to Launch North American Talent & Innovation Hub
By Professor Haydn Chen
Edited by Chance Lai
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Edited by Chance Lai
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National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) welcomed a distinguished delegation from the University of Arizona (UA), the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), and Pima County Economic Development (PCED) to its Taipei/Beitou campus for a milestone event: the signing of a Declaration of Collaboration to establish the North American Talent & Innovation Hub (NATI-Hub) in Arizona. This initiative marks a significant step toward advancing workforce development, research collaboration, and economic growth between Taiwan and Arizona.
The Event
The visit, held on September 7, 2025, began with a warm welcome from President Chi-Hung Lin, Senior Vice President Jack Sun, and other NYCU leaders. The Arizona delegation included Prof. Krishna Muralidharan, Director of UA’s Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing; Ms. Hillary Vance, Assistant Dean for R&D and International Education; Mr. Fernando Garcia, Executive Vice President of ACA; and Mr. Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, Director of PCED.
The program featured remarks from senior leaders, presentations on NYCU’s strengths in Semiconductors and Smart Healthcare, and a joint outline of the Hub’s vision by UA. Mr. Garcia emphasized the Hub’s strategic importance to Arizona’s semiconductor ecosystem, while Mr. Vescovi-Chiordi highlighted Pima County’s readiness to provide logistical and infrastructure support.
The event concluded with the formal signing of the Declaration of Collaboration by NYCU, UA, ACA, and PCED, reaffirming their shared commitment to developing educational programs, fostering research collaborations, and establishing industry partnerships.
The Talent & Innovation Hub Vision
Conceived by NYCU and developed through months of dialogue with UA and ACA, the Hub is structured as a phased initiative:
The Event
The visit, held on September 7, 2025, began with a warm welcome from President Chi-Hung Lin, Senior Vice President Jack Sun, and other NYCU leaders. The Arizona delegation included Prof. Krishna Muralidharan, Director of UA’s Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing; Ms. Hillary Vance, Assistant Dean for R&D and International Education; Mr. Fernando Garcia, Executive Vice President of ACA; and Mr. Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, Director of PCED.
The program featured remarks from senior leaders, presentations on NYCU’s strengths in Semiconductors and Smart Healthcare, and a joint outline of the Hub’s vision by UA. Mr. Garcia emphasized the Hub’s strategic importance to Arizona’s semiconductor ecosystem, while Mr. Vescovi-Chiordi highlighted Pima County’s readiness to provide logistical and infrastructure support.
The event concluded with the formal signing of the Declaration of Collaboration by NYCU, UA, ACA, and PCED, reaffirming their shared commitment to developing educational programs, fostering research collaborations, and establishing industry partnerships.
The Talent & Innovation Hub Vision
Conceived by NYCU and developed through months of dialogue with UA and ACA, the Hub is structured as a phased initiative:
- Phase I (2025–2026 Preparation): Launch the Hub in partnership with UA, focusing on semiconductor and microelectronics education, short courses, certificates, and internships aligned with the workforce needs of TSMC and its supply chain. Training will also emphasize bilingual and cross-cultural skills.
- Phase II (2026–2029 Development): Establish a local office or academic center at a partner university to expand teaching, research, and exchange programs. Dual-degree pathways such as 3+2 BS/MS programs will be introduced.
- Phase III (2030 and beyond, Expansion): Propose a formal NYCU overseas campus in Arizona, housing an Academic Innovation Center that integrates research, workforce training, and industry collaboration on a global scale.
The Hub is distinctive in replicating NYCU’s industry-validated semiconductor education model—already proven in Taiwan—ensuring a higher success rate for talent localization and industry integration in Arizona.
The Declaration of Collaboration
Signed on September 7, 2025, the Declaration outlines four pillars of cooperation:
The Declaration of Collaboration
Signed on September 7, 2025, the Declaration outlines four pillars of cooperation:
- Workforce Development – Expanding education in semiconductors, microelectronics, AI, and healthcare innovation.
- Research & Innovation – Advancing joint R&D with industry partners.
- Exchange Programs – Fostering faculty and student mobility between Taiwan and Arizona.
- Economic Growth – Supporting the semiconductor ecosystem and broader economic development on both sides.
The Declaration establishes the framework for a formal bilateral agreement to be executed in 2026, signaling the commitment of all parties to sustained collaboration.
Looking Ahead
With the signing of this Declaration, NYCU and its Arizona partners are laying the foundation for a long-term partnership that connects Taiwan’s global leadership in semiconductors with Arizona’s growing role as a hub for advanced manufacturing. The NATI-Hub will serve as a bridge for talent, research, and innovation—ensuring that future generations of students, researchers, and industry leaders can collaborate to shape the next era of technology on both sides of the Pacific.
Looking Ahead
With the signing of this Declaration, NYCU and its Arizona partners are laying the foundation for a long-term partnership that connects Taiwan’s global leadership in semiconductors with Arizona’s growing role as a hub for advanced manufacturing. The NATI-Hub will serve as a bridge for talent, research, and innovation—ensuring that future generations of students, researchers, and industry leaders can collaborate to shape the next era of technology on both sides of the Pacific.
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