NEWS
College Features
- Publish Date：2024-04-24
Celebrating NYCU’s 60 Years of Semiconductor Education: Senior Leaders of Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry Convene to Explore Future Development Path
On April 10th, the 2024 Semiconductor Summit Forum welcomed five industry veterans, including Mr. Stan Shih (4th from left), Founder of Acer Group, Mr. Cliff Hou (3rd from right), Senior Vice President of TSMC and Chairman of the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association, Mr. Robert Li (2nd from right), Global Vice President of Synopsys Technology and Chairman and CEO of Synopsys Technology Taiwan Region, Mr. Bob Chen (3rd from left), General Manager of Hon Hai Semiconductor Business Group, and Mr. Joe Chen (2nd from left), President and Chief Operating Officer of MediaTek INC. The forum was moderated by Mr. Hung-Wen Lin (1st from right), Chairman of the Ding Xun Electrical Engineering Education Foundation and Industry Trends Expert.
By Chance Lai
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This year marks the 60th anniversary of establishing the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering (DEE) and the Department of Electrophysics at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU). We organized the 2024 Semiconductor Summit Forum and a 60th Anniversary Special Exhibition to commemorate this milestone. In addition to showcasing the outstanding achievements of numerous distinguished alumni in the field of semiconductors, these forum and exhibition activities also provide an opportunity to envision the university's future vision in semiconductor talent cultivation and industry-academic collaboration.
President Chi-Hung Lin stated that the first transistor in Taiwan was born at NYCU. With the semiconductor industry facing a severe talent shortage, the importance of talent cultivation in universities becomes even more apparent. The forum aims to leverage the foresight of these outstanding alumni to discuss industry trends and challenges, allowing Taiwan's semiconductor industry to continue advancing.
The Advantages of Taiwan in the Global Semiconductor Industry
When discussing the key factors behind Taiwan's past success in the semiconductor industry, all five panelists unanimously pointed to Taiwan's unique ecosystem and culture.
The Advantages of Taiwan in the Global Semiconductor Industry
When discussing the key factors behind Taiwan's past success in the semiconductor industry, all five panelists unanimously pointed to Taiwan's unique ecosystem and culture.
Stan Shih, Founder of Acer Group, graduated from the Department of Electronic Engineering (currently affiliated with the DEE) and the Institute of Electronics.
Mr. Stan Shih remarked that the semiconductor industry has transitioned from vertical integration in its early days to vertical specialization, which has contributed to Taiwan's semiconductor industry prosperity.
He noted that Silicon Valley was once the global center for semiconductor production, then shifted to Japan, and now to Taiwan. Silicon Valley today remains a crucial engine for various new technologies globally, primarily due to its abundant design energy. Mr. Shih emphasized that Taiwan should leverage its semiconductor advantages as a vantage point to create even greater added value.
Cliff Hou, Senior Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of TSMC, graduated from the Department of Control Engineering (currently affiliated with the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering).
Mr. Stan Shih remarked that the semiconductor industry has transitioned from vertical integration in its early days to vertical specialization, which has contributed to Taiwan's semiconductor industry prosperity.
He noted that Silicon Valley was once the global center for semiconductor production, then shifted to Japan, and now to Taiwan. Silicon Valley today remains a crucial engine for various new technologies globally, primarily due to its abundant design energy. Mr. Shih emphasized that Taiwan should leverage its semiconductor advantages as a vantage point to create even greater added value.
Mr. Cliff Hou emphasized that the advantage of Taiwan's semiconductor industry lies in the interconnected ecosystem spanning IC design, manufacturing, testing, materials and tools, components, and more, creating the world's most efficient and progressive supply chain.
These components have been developed over decades of globalization, bringing together manufacturers from different countries to build a comprehensive ecosystem. He noted that replicating a semiconductor ecosystem similar to Taiwan's in other countries would be challenging.
Bob Chen, General Manager of Hon Hai Semiconductor Business Group, graduated from the Degree Program of Master of Business Administration for Executive.
Mr. Bob Chen pointed out that the key to Taiwan's semiconductor industry dominating globally lies in the combination of American innovation, Japanese discipline, and the diligence of Chinese culture. He emphasized that these three characteristics are indispensable for the semiconductor industry.
These components have been developed over decades of globalization, bringing together manufacturers from different countries to build a comprehensive ecosystem. He noted that replicating a semiconductor ecosystem similar to Taiwan's in other countries would be challenging.
Bob Chen, General Manager of Hon Hai Semiconductor Business Group, graduated from the Degree Program of Master of Business Administration for Executive.
Mr. Bob Chen pointed out that the key to Taiwan's semiconductor industry dominating globally lies in the combination of American innovation, Japanese discipline, and the diligence of Chinese culture. He emphasized that these three characteristics are indispensable for the semiconductor industry.
Addressing Talent Shortage Dilemma: Rooting Semiconductor Education, Cultivating High-Level Talent, and Introducing Foreign Talent
When discussing the challenge of semiconductor talent shortage, solutions may begin with expanding the semiconductor talent pool, including rooting semiconductor education (science and technology education) downward, cultivating high-level talent (Ph.D. programs), and introducing talent from abroad.
When discussing the challenge of semiconductor talent shortage, solutions may begin with expanding the semiconductor talent pool, including rooting semiconductor education (science and technology education) downward, cultivating high-level talent (Ph.D. programs), and introducing talent from abroad.
Mr. Robert Li explained that, in collaboration with our university last year, he spearheaded the "Semiconductor and Chip Design Science Summer Camp" aimed at high school students. He also expressed willingness to share the knowledge and outcomes of the camp with other organizations interested in rooting semiconductor education downward.
Additionally, TSMC has long collaborated with our university to offer the "Big Brothers and Big Sisters Talk About Semiconductors" program. The program aims to enhance high school students' interest in learning through peer-led and engaging courses.
Participating students and teachers from National Chupei Senior High School pose for a group photo.
The forum also extended a special invitation to students from National Chupei Senior High School (CPSH), providing a platform for sharing with the younger generation, thereby assisting future leaders of the country in gaining early insights into semiconductor education and industry issues.
In addition to enhancing the "quantity" of the talent pool, cultivating high-level talent through doctoral programs and introducing foreign talent are also strategies to ensure the "quality" of the talent pool. Mr. Bob Chen stated that foreign workers in Taiwan or overseas subsidiaries treat local employees and respect their culture, which is crucial in retaining talent.
Joe Chen, President and Chief Operating Officer of MediaTek INC, graduated from the Department of Electronic Engineering (currently affiliated with the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering) and the Institute of Electronics.Mr. Joe Chen also emphasized the importance of "OAGI," which refers to openness (O), ambition (A), globalization (G), and innovation (I) as essential qualities international companies value when selecting talent.
Future Focus for Taiwan's Semiconductor Industry: Talent Cultivation and Technological Research and Development
With the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors serve as its fundamental carrier. Mr. Cliff Ho stated that looking ahead to the next decade, hardly any material can replace semiconductors. Taiwan's semiconductor industry must continue to innovate technologically to maintain its competitive advantage. This technological leadership is crucial for sustaining competitiveness and survival. As technological research and development rely on talent, the future focus should be on the dual tracks of "continuous R&D" and "talent cultivation."
