SDG9
【94th Anniversary】The 10th NCKU Materials Industry Forum Witnessing 10 Years of Co-Creation and Innovation
The 10th NCKU Materials Industry Forum (成材產業論壇), jointly organized by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU MSE) and the NCKU Materials Alumni Association (成大材料系友會), was grandly held on November 7. This year’s theme, “A Single Tree Does Not Make a Forest: Heroes Emerge in Shenshan Materials Cluster (獨木不成林，神山材料群雄並起),” symbolizes the results and new horizons of Taiwan’s materials industry after years of cultivation, co-creation, and collaborative efforts. To mark this milestone 10th edition, the organizers planned a series of events, including the exhibition “Ten Years of Waves in the NCKU Materials Industry Forum (成材產業論壇的十年浪潮)” held from November 7 to 13 at the NCKU Art Garden (新園沙龍), and the industry forum on the afternoon of November 7 at the International Conference Hall of the NCKU Main Library, where five leaders from Taiwanese semiconductor consumables companies shared their insights, showcasing the deep capabilities and innovative energy of Taiwan’s materials technology on the international stage.
The opening of the exhibition “Ten Years of Waves in the NCKU Materials Industry Forum” on the morning of November 7 invited key past speakers and industry VIPs to witness the forum entering its double-digit chapter. The ceremony was officiated by Shih-Wei Chang (張始偉), Vice President of NCKU, Wen-Tung Hsu (許文東), Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Wei-Wen Yang (楊偉文), President of the Materials Alumni Association, and representatives from previous forums, creating a grand and lively atmosphere. Vice President Chang, representing NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen (沈孟儒), stated that the NCKU Materials Industry Forum has sparked cross-disciplinary exchanges and industry dialogues on campus, inspiring other departments to organize related activities. He emphasized that NCKU’s achievements today are thanks to the support of alumni, and that exerting influence on society remains the most important and continuous effort of the administrative and academic teams.
The afternoon industry forum, themed “A Single Tree Does Not Make a Forest: Heroes Emerge in Shenshan Materials Cluster,” focused on the critical roles of various specialized materials in Taiwan’s advanced semiconductor packaging. Five leaders representing Taiwan’s semiconductor consumables industry were invited to share insights, demonstrating the robust capabilities and innovative energy of Taiwan’s materials technology on the global stage.
Wei-Wen Yang, President of the NCKU Materials Alumni Association, first led participants in a video review of the forum’s 10-year development and milestones. He highlighted that the forum was founded with the aim of creating a valuable platform that fosters genuine connections between the university, alumni, students, and industry. Yang expressed gratitude to all partners who have supported and participated over the past 10 years, enabling the forum to grow from a NCKU-centered event into a nationwide platform, promoting horizontal industry collaboration and talent development. He hopes the forum will continue to empower the industry, becoming more than an annual event, but a driving force for advancing Taiwan’s materials technology.
NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen mentioned that the first president, Mr. Wakatsuki Michitaka (若槻道隆), had two founding visions for the university: first, that the school’s development must contribute to national progress; second, that students should cultivate calm minds, broad-mindedness, and agile skills. The NCKU Materials Industry Forum exemplifies both visions. President Shen emphasized that the forum brings together alumni, schoolmates, and participants from government, industry, and academia to exchange knowledge and insights, not only connecting campus research capacity with industry but also helping students understand the future development of the sector, laying a scientific foundation for solving real-world problems. The forum’s success has inspired other departments on campus to organize similar events, expanding NCKU’s influence in cross-disciplinary exchanges and industry collaboration.
The forum was inaugurated by Wei-Wen Yang, President of the NCKU Materials Alumni Association and General Manager of Wisdom Technology (智勝科技). Yang shared his experience in driving corporate culture transformation and technological upgrading, emphasizing innovation, quality, and market sensitivity. He led his team to develop advanced grinding materials, expand product applications, and implement quality management and process optimization, demonstrating the dynamic growth of the enterprise.
Wen-Hsiung Jan (詹文雄), Chairman of Advanced Echem Materials Company Limited (AEMC, 新應材公司), presented “Innovation and Transformation,” reviewing the company’s journey since its founding in 2003, dedicated to developing specialized chemical materials for semiconductor and display applications. He shared how AEMC has leveraged opportunities, demonstrating ambition despite its small scale.
Chien-Yung Ma (馬堅勇), Chairman of Openness Specialty Materials Corp. Ltd (合一特用材料), presented “Materials Are Also Magical,” sharing the company’s independent development and manufacturing of advanced semiconductor thin-film materials, precision metal components for equipment, and thermal management materials (LM/TIM) for power modules. Starting from key materials for domestic fighter engines and missiles, Ma shared his experience in transforming these capabilities into Taiwan’s semiconductor highlights, integrating domestic and international semiconductor material development, strengthening Taiwan’s supply chain resilience, with a special focus on sustainability and ESG topics.
Chu-Lin Tsai (蔡楚綝), Executive Vice President and Sustainability Officer of Sunlit Chemical Co., Ltd. (僑力化工), shared “Creating Sustainable Reactions in Green Chemistry,” explaining the company’s efforts in green hydrofluoric acid production and waste recovery, from reducing reliance on fluorite resources to recycling industrial hydrofluoric acid, establishing environmentally friendly and circular production chains. Tsai highlighted the company’s global expansion and applications in semiconductor, electronics, automotive, and green energy industries, demonstrating responsibility to society and the environment and emphasizing that materials innovation is not only a technical competition but also a commitment to sustainability.
Finally, Wen-Liang Li (李文亮), Senior Vice President of PentaPro Materials Inc. (宇川精密), shared trends in advanced semiconductor processes and atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. He noted that PentaPro, as a professional organometallic precursor manufacturer, has established a reputation for providing cutting-edge precursors for advanced semiconductor processes. Since its founding in 2011, PentaPro has continuously delivered advanced products and services, building strong partnerships with clients and maintaining steady growth.
Liang-Chi Chen (陳良基), Emeritus Professor of National Taiwan University (國立台灣大學) and former Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology, delivered the concluding remarks. Professor Chen emphasized that past interactions and collaborations within Taiwan’s industry have collectively built Taiwan’s “Shenshan” group of national champions, reflecting the spirit of the NCKU Materials Alumni Association: “While an individual may run fast, a group can go far.” He expressed confidence that Taiwan’s materials technology can serve as the strongest support for leading semiconductor innovation, enabling Taiwan to thrive as a small but resource-rich island.
Since its inception in 2015, the NCKU Materials Industry Forum has been jointly organized by the NCKU MSE Department and the Materials Alumni Association. Except for one year interrupted by COVID-19, the forum is held annually in November during NCKU’s anniversary month and has become a key event for celebrating NCKU’s birthday. Each session sets themes of long-term significance to Taiwan’s industry, encouraging dialogue and knowledge-sharing between industry and students, fostering collaboration through inheritance and innovation. The successful hosting of the 10th forum symbolizes the transformation of Taiwan’s materials industry from single-technology breakthroughs to an integrated ecosystem of co-prosperity, and it also marks 10 years of collaboration between NCKU and industry, laying a blueprint for innovation and shared growth in the next decade.
The opening of the exhibition “Ten Years of Waves in the NCKU Materials Industry Forum” on the morning of November 7 invited key past speakers and industry VIPs to witness the forum entering its double-digit chapter. The ceremony was officiated by Shih-Wei Chang (張始偉), Vice President of NCKU, Wen-Tung Hsu (許文東), Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Wei-Wen Yang (楊偉文), President of the Materials Alumni Association, and representatives from previous forums, creating a grand and lively atmosphere. Vice President Chang, representing NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen (沈孟儒), stated that the NCKU Materials Industry Forum has sparked cross-disciplinary exchanges and industry dialogues on campus, inspiring other departments to organize related activities. He emphasized that NCKU’s achievements today are thanks to the support of alumni, and that exerting influence on society remains the most important and continuous effort of the administrative and academic teams.
The afternoon industry forum, themed “A Single Tree Does Not Make a Forest: Heroes Emerge in Shenshan Materials Cluster,” focused on the critical roles of various specialized materials in Taiwan’s advanced semiconductor packaging. Five leaders representing Taiwan’s semiconductor consumables industry were invited to share insights, demonstrating the robust capabilities and innovative energy of Taiwan’s materials technology on the global stage.
Wei-Wen Yang, President of the NCKU Materials Alumni Association, first led participants in a video review of the forum’s 10-year development and milestones. He highlighted that the forum was founded with the aim of creating a valuable platform that fosters genuine connections between the university, alumni, students, and industry. Yang expressed gratitude to all partners who have supported and participated over the past 10 years, enabling the forum to grow from a NCKU-centered event into a nationwide platform, promoting horizontal industry collaboration and talent development. He hopes the forum will continue to empower the industry, becoming more than an annual event, but a driving force for advancing Taiwan’s materials technology.
NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen mentioned that the first president, Mr. Wakatsuki Michitaka (若槻道隆), had two founding visions for the university: first, that the school’s development must contribute to national progress; second, that students should cultivate calm minds, broad-mindedness, and agile skills. The NCKU Materials Industry Forum exemplifies both visions. President Shen emphasized that the forum brings together alumni, schoolmates, and participants from government, industry, and academia to exchange knowledge and insights, not only connecting campus research capacity with industry but also helping students understand the future development of the sector, laying a scientific foundation for solving real-world problems. The forum’s success has inspired other departments on campus to organize similar events, expanding NCKU’s influence in cross-disciplinary exchanges and industry collaboration.
The forum was inaugurated by Wei-Wen Yang, President of the NCKU Materials Alumni Association and General Manager of Wisdom Technology (智勝科技). Yang shared his experience in driving corporate culture transformation and technological upgrading, emphasizing innovation, quality, and market sensitivity. He led his team to develop advanced grinding materials, expand product applications, and implement quality management and process optimization, demonstrating the dynamic growth of the enterprise.
Wen-Hsiung Jan (詹文雄), Chairman of Advanced Echem Materials Company Limited (AEMC, 新應材公司), presented “Innovation and Transformation,” reviewing the company’s journey since its founding in 2003, dedicated to developing specialized chemical materials for semiconductor and display applications. He shared how AEMC has leveraged opportunities, demonstrating ambition despite its small scale.
Chien-Yung Ma (馬堅勇), Chairman of Openness Specialty Materials Corp. Ltd (合一特用材料), presented “Materials Are Also Magical,” sharing the company’s independent development and manufacturing of advanced semiconductor thin-film materials, precision metal components for equipment, and thermal management materials (LM/TIM) for power modules. Starting from key materials for domestic fighter engines and missiles, Ma shared his experience in transforming these capabilities into Taiwan’s semiconductor highlights, integrating domestic and international semiconductor material development, strengthening Taiwan’s supply chain resilience, with a special focus on sustainability and ESG topics.
Chu-Lin Tsai (蔡楚綝), Executive Vice President and Sustainability Officer of Sunlit Chemical Co., Ltd. (僑力化工), shared “Creating Sustainable Reactions in Green Chemistry,” explaining the company’s efforts in green hydrofluoric acid production and waste recovery, from reducing reliance on fluorite resources to recycling industrial hydrofluoric acid, establishing environmentally friendly and circular production chains. Tsai highlighted the company’s global expansion and applications in semiconductor, electronics, automotive, and green energy industries, demonstrating responsibility to society and the environment and emphasizing that materials innovation is not only a technical competition but also a commitment to sustainability.
Finally, Wen-Liang Li (李文亮), Senior Vice President of PentaPro Materials Inc. (宇川精密), shared trends in advanced semiconductor processes and atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. He noted that PentaPro, as a professional organometallic precursor manufacturer, has established a reputation for providing cutting-edge precursors for advanced semiconductor processes. Since its founding in 2011, PentaPro has continuously delivered advanced products and services, building strong partnerships with clients and maintaining steady growth.
Liang-Chi Chen (陳良基), Emeritus Professor of National Taiwan University (國立台灣大學) and former Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology, delivered the concluding remarks. Professor Chen emphasized that past interactions and collaborations within Taiwan’s industry have collectively built Taiwan’s “Shenshan” group of national champions, reflecting the spirit of the NCKU Materials Alumni Association: “While an individual may run fast, a group can go far.” He expressed confidence that Taiwan’s materials technology can serve as the strongest support for leading semiconductor innovation, enabling Taiwan to thrive as a small but resource-rich island.
Since its inception in 2015, the NCKU Materials Industry Forum has been jointly organized by the NCKU MSE Department and the Materials Alumni Association. Except for one year interrupted by COVID-19, the forum is held annually in November during NCKU’s anniversary month and has become a key event for celebrating NCKU’s birthday. Each session sets themes of long-term significance to Taiwan’s industry, encouraging dialogue and knowledge-sharing between industry and students, fostering collaboration through inheritance and innovation. The successful hosting of the 10th forum symbolizes the transformation of Taiwan’s materials industry from single-technology breakthroughs to an integrated ecosystem of co-prosperity, and it also marks 10 years of collaboration between NCKU and industry, laying a blueprint for innovation and shared growth in the next decade.
The “Ten Years of Waves in the NCKU Materials Industry Forum” exhibition brought together key past speakers and prominent industry VIPs to jointly witness the forum entering its double-digit chapter.
Wei-Wen Yang, President of the NCKU Materials Alumni Association, led a guided tour of the “Ten Years of Waves in the NCKU Materials Industry Forum” exhibition.
President Wei-Wen Yang mentioned that the original intention of founding the forum was to create a valuable platform that fosters genuine connections between the university, alumni, junior students, and the industry.
NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen pointed out that alumni, schoolmates, and representatives from government, industry, and academia gathered together to exchange and share knowledge, which not only strengthens the connection between on-campus research capabilities and the industry but also allows students to understand the future development of the sector.
NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen presented appreciation plaques to the forum speakers.
The 10th NCKU Materials Industry Forum, themed “A Single Tree Does Not Make a Forest: Heroes Emerge in Shenshan Materials Cluster,” symbolizes the results and new horizons of Taiwan’s materials industry after years of cultivation, co-creation, and collaborative efforts.
