NCKU AISSM Leads Taiwan-Europe Cooperation: 2025 International Semiconductor Short-term Training Program Kicks Off
Written by NCKU AISSM. Image credit to NCKU News Center.
Group photo of the opening ceremony for Taiwan-Europe Semiconductor Short-term Training Program
The Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM) at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), in collaboration once again with Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), has launched the third edition of the Taiwan-Europe Semiconductor Short-Term Training Program. This year, 32 outstanding science and engineering students from six Central and Eastern European partner countries—Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, Romania, Lithuania, and Slovakia—have arrived in Taiwan to participate in a week-long intensive chip design course.
The opening ceremony on June 30 was hosted by Prof. Ming-Chi Chou, Associate Dean of AISSM, NCKU. Prof. Shu-Jung Hu, Associate Vice President for International Affairs, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of NCKU. The Representative of the Slovak Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, Mr. Bruno Hromý, was present to greet the six Slovak participants and other students in person. Prof. Shu-Jung Hu highlighted NCKU's role as a leading university in Taiwan committed to educational innovation and global impact. Representative Bruno Hromý praised the beauty of Tainan City. He shared his frequent visits over the past three years, encouraging the students to make the most of their learning experience in Taiwan.
The Representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office, Mr. David Steinke, and the Representative of the Italian Economic, Trade and Cultural Promotion Office, Mr. Marco Lombardi, also conveyed their greetings virtually, commending Taiwan as an ideal place to study chip technologies and encouraging students to explore Tainan's famous street food and visit landmarks like Taipei 101.
Associate Dean Ming-Chi Chou expressed his hope to deepen cooperation with partner countries, while also fulfilling the founding mission of AISSM and NCKU’s social responsibility.
Since its establishment in 2021, the NCKU AISSM has actively promoted international education, hosting annual English-taught summer programs that welcome global students to experience Taiwan's strengths in the semiconductor industry. "This is the second year NCKU works with MOFA to host the Taiwan-Europe Semiconductor Short-term Training Program. This year's curriculum focuses on emerging trends and future developments in semiconductor technologies and IC design, further underscoring NCKU's key role in global scientific and educational cooperation," said Prof. Ming-Chi Chou.
Mr. Bruno Hromý, the Representative of the Slovak Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, was present to greet the six Slovak participants and other students in person.
This program also integrates participants from the Taiwan-Lithuania Semiconductor Talent and Research Scholarship Program (STAR Program), facilitated by Taiwan's Science and Technology Division in Lithuania and coordinated by Director Shun-Fen Tseng. A 24-member delegation of professors and students from the Faculty of Physics of Vilnius University and the Faculty of Electronics of VILNIUS TECH is visiting NCKU, joining courses, and engaging in technical and academic exchanges. On July 2, they will participate in the "Analog IC Design" course, fostering cross-institutional and international collaboration that builds a stronger foundation for future Taiwan-Europe cooperation.
The training curriculum, led by Prof. Lih-Yih Chiou, Director of the Chip Design Program, includes an industry visit to Himax Technologies, a key industrial partner of NCKU and a global leader in display driver IC and TCON development. These activities aim to enhance participants' understanding of Taiwan's highly integrated semiconductor ecosystem, spanning wafer fabrication, IC design, packaging and testing, equipment, and materials.
The students from the Central and Eastern European partner countries were concentrated in the opening ceremony.
More than just technical training, this initiative seeks to nurture a new generation of semiconductor professionals with strong technical capabilities, global awareness, and intercultural competence. Through hands-on experience and in-depth exchange, participants gain insights into Taiwan's industrial strengths and explore academic and career opportunities in the global semiconductor field.
The participants come from 12 universities and research institutions, including Czech Technical University in Prague, Brno University of Technology, AGH University of Krakow, Warsaw University of Technology, Politecnico di Milano, University of Bologna, University of Pavia, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, University of Žilina, Babeș-Bolyai University, Fondazione Bruno Kessler Integration Lab, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași, and VILNIUS TECH. These senior undergraduate, master's, and PhD students specialize in electrical engineering, electronics, photonics, and communications.
After completing the week-long program at NCKU, the group will proceed to the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute's headquarters in Hsinchu and Tainan for advanced chip design and process technology training.
This summer, Taiwan once again welcomes rising talents from its Central and Eastern European allies—future semiconductor research and development leaders—strengthening enduring international ties through education and innovation.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2025-07-01
