TSMC, NCKU and NUK sign co-operation agreement to promote IACP

TAINAN, TAIWAN: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) have jointly signed an academia-industry co-operation agreement on September 14 to promote Industry and Academia Corporation Program (IACP), hoping to cultivate semiconductor technology experts and create a mutually beneficial win-win situation through close exchange and cooperation between the industry and academia.

The co-operation agreement of the Industry and Academia Corporation Program was signed by NCKU president, Michael Ming-Chiao Lai, NUK Dean of College of Engineering, Wen-Kuan Yeh and TSMC VP of Human Resources, Long-Chin Tu, expecting to integrate the rich teaching resources and excellent teaching faculty of NCKU and NTU with the semiconductor manufacturing and technology strength of TSMC to elevate semiconductor technology teaching and cultivate national semiconductor talents.

In response to the needs of expert training at TSMC, The Industry and Academia Corporation Program (IACP) appointed NCKU and NUK to plan the program, provide courses related to semiconductor technology, semiconductor components and surface materials, assign professional teachers to teach at TSMC, introduce assessment certification system, and assist TSMC colleagues to acquire professional certification, second degree, as well as credits approved by the Ministry of Education.

The program will also provide some of the spots to master and doctoral students from National Cheng Kung University and National University of Kaohsiung for them to experience working in a business enterprise.

At the same time, TSMC will arrange professional experts to open semiconductor-related courses at National Cheng Kung University to share their practical experience and technological information with the students, hoping to elevate the students’ knowledge of the semiconductor industry and benefit their future career.

TSMC VP of Human Resources Long-Chin Tu expressed: “Talents are the most important asset of TSMC. We always value the cultivation of semiconductor talents. TSMC has maintained close relationship with universities in Taiwan. We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to sign an academia-industry cooperation agreement with National Cheng Kung University and National University of Kaohsiung to jointly promote the Industry and Academia Corporation Program.

"Through close co-operation, by combining theory and practice, the job training system of TSMC colleagues is more diverse and complete and we can contribute to the education of semiconductor professionals in Taiwan.”

NCKU president, Michael Ming-Chiao Lai, said: “The most important mission of a university is to cultivate talents, and the most important mission of a top university is to cultivate leadership talents. Universities cultivate talents for the industry, and the quality of the talents determines the success of the industry. Thus, the industry should also bear the responsibility of cultivating talents to enjoy these talents. TSMC, NCKU and NUK will work together to develop talent cultivation program, hoping to become the new model of higher education in Taiwan.”

Lai added: “With the Industry and Academia Corporation Program, the industry can bring its experience to the university and the university can share its experience with the industry as well, thus opening a brand new door to the industry and academia. Through this cooperative relation, the university can train better talents and the industry will recruit better talents.”

NUK Dean of College of Engineering Wen-Kuan Yeh said: “The popularization of higher education in Taiwan has promoted the flourishing development of high-tech industry in Taiwan. Influenced by economic fluctuation, the enterprise has to recruit a large amount of personnel within short period of time.

“However, the universities cannot provide sufficient number of talents in time. Through on-job training, the Industry and Academia Corporation Program hopes to provide personnel a diverse and flexible learning environment, encourage personnel to engage in advanced studies, and assist personnel to solve theory-related problems at work.”

Dean Wen-Kuan Yeh also added: “For the enterprise, the program will provide on-job talent training, elevate personnel's team spirit, and reach the goal of sustainable management. For the universities, the program will introduce a diverse learning training model and cultivate professionals who fit the requirements of the enterprise.”