SDG17
NCKU Partners with Europe for Dual-Track Semiconductor & Culture Program
The 2026 Taiwan–Europe Semiconductor Short-term Training Program, sponsored by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), is once again being hosted by National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). This year, 28 outstanding science and engineering students from six Central and Eastern European partner countries, the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Kosovo, have arrived in Taiwan to participate in a two-week intensive semiconductor manufacturing training program organized and implemented by NCKU's Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM).
In addition to professional semiconductor manufacturing courses, this year's program introduces Chinese language and cultural learning components for the first time. Through academic training, industrial visits, and cross-cultural exchanges, the program aims to strengthen cooperation between Taiwan and its Central and Eastern European partners in science, technology, education, and talent development.
The opening ceremony was held on June 29 and hosted by Prof. Ming-Chi Chou, Associate Dean of AISSM. NCKU Executive Vice President Prof. Yung-Chun Lee and Associate Vice President for International Affairs Prof. Ching-Lung Yang welcomed the participants on behalf of the university. Prof. Lee noted that NCKU is committed to advancing international collaboration and talent development and expressed hope that the program would foster cross-border knowledge exchange while nurturing future professionals with global perspectives and interdisciplinary capabilities. Prof. Ching-Lung Yang, Associate Vice President for International Affairs, encouraged the participants to make the most of this valuable opportunity in Taiwan by not only strengthening their expertise in semiconductor technology, but also actively engaging with faculty members, fellow participants from different countries, and NCKU students. He encouraged them to build international networks, broaden their global perspectives, experience Taiwan’s culture and campus life, and explore the rich cultural heritage and unique charm of Tainan, Taiwan’s historic capital. He also expressed his hope that the friendships and connections formed during the program would serve as a strong foundation for future collaboration with National Cheng Kung University.
Mr. David Steinke, Representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office Taipei, also attended the ceremony in person to show his support for the participating students. He commended the students for choosing to come to Taiwan for the summer program and encouraged them to cherish this opportunity to learn, gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s semiconductor development, and accumulate both professional knowledge and international experience through the exchange. Cyryl Jan Bielski, Director of the Polish Office in Taipei, and Karolis Pilipauskas, Representative of the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office in Taipei, also extended their blessings and encouragement to the participants via pre-recorded video messages. Representative Bielski highly commended the enthusiastic participation of students from six Polish universities in this year's program. He highlighted the tangible achievements in semiconductor and electric vehicle collaboration between Taiwan and Poland in recent years, encouraging the students to broaden their horizons within Taiwan's world-leading technology ecosystem. Meanwhile, Representative Lukauskas motivated the Lithuanian participants, who hail from several prestigious institutions including Vilnius University, to seize this invaluable opportunity in Taiwan to learn from top-tier academic and industrial experts. He also expressed his shared anticipation for the continued growth and deepening of economic, trade, and technological partnerships between Lithuania and Taiwan in the future.
The curriculum was designed by Prof. Chao-Hung Wang of AISSM and focuses on modern semiconductor manufacturing technologies. It provides a systematic overview of the complete wafer fabrication process, covering semiconductor device physics, CMOS process integration, lithography, thin-film deposition, etching technologies, metallization, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), and advanced process control. The program enables participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of contemporary semiconductor manufacturing and industrial practices.
In addition to technical courses, AISSM has introduced a Chinese language and cultural learning course for the first time. Designed around the perspective of international engineers working in Taiwan's semiconductor industry, the course integrates workplace communication, daily-life applications, and scenario-based dialogues. It aims to strengthen participants' Chinese communication skills and intercultural awareness while enhancing their future collaboration with Taiwan's academic and industrial sectors.
The program also includes an industrial visit to Winbond Electronics, one of Taiwan's leading memory semiconductor companies. Participants will gain first-hand insights into Taiwan's semiconductor technology development and industrial operations. Notably, this year marks the first time that students will be granted access to a semiconductor cleanroom, allowing them to observe manufacturing environments and production processes up close and experience the stringent standards and technologies involved in wafer fabrication. Through these industry visits, students can connect classroom knowledge with real-world industrial applications and gain a deeper appreciation of Taiwan's highly integrated semiconductor ecosystem.
Since its establishment, AISSM has continuously promoted international talent cultivation and has organized English-taught international summer schools for five consecutive years, attracting students from around the world to study and exchange in Taiwan. Through exchange programs, dual-degree opportunities, short-term training initiatives, and various international collaborations, AISSM has established long-term and stable partnerships with numerous European universities. Many participants in this year's program come from institutions that have maintained close academic ties with AISSM, demonstrating NCKU's sustained commitment to European engagement and semiconductor talent development.
Dean Hsu noted that exchanges between Taiwan and Central and Eastern European countries have grown steadily in the fields of technology, education, and industry, with talent cultivation serving as a key foundation for future cooperation. He expressed hope that the program would provide a valuable platform for students from different countries to learn, exchange ideas, and grow together. Beyond sharing Taiwan's experience and achievements in semiconductor technology, he also hopes participants will bring what they learn in Taiwan back to their home countries and become important bridges for future Taiwan–Europe collaboration.
This year's participants come from 15 universities and research institutions, including Brno University of Technology and Czech Technical University in Prague (Czech Republic); Warsaw University of Technology, AGH University of Science and Technology, University of Warsaw, Lodz University of Technology, and Cracow University of Technology (Poland); Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius University, VILNIUS TECH, and the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (Lithuania); the University of Žilina (Slovakia); Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania); and the University of Prishtina (Kosovo). The participants consist of senior undergraduate students, master's students, and doctoral candidates whose academic backgrounds span electrical engineering, semiconductor technology, information and communication technologies, automation and control, materials science, and physics.
Upon completing the two-week program at NCKU, participants will continue their training at the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute (TSRI) in Hsinchu and Tainan, where they will receive hands-on instruction in semiconductor process technologies or integrated circuit design.
Launched by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2022, the Taiwan–Europe Semiconductor Short-term Training Program serves as an important platform for Taiwan–Europe talent development and cooperation. By fostering exchanges among students, universities, and industry partners, the program strengthens Taiwan's connections with Europe while supporting collaboration on semiconductor innovation, talent cultivation, and supply-chain resilience. NCKU has successfully hosted the program in previous years, further advancing its mission of promoting semiconductor education and international engagement.
This summer, a new generation of semiconductor talents from Central and Eastern Europe has gathered in Taiwan once again. Through professional training, industrial engagement, and cross-cultural exchange, the participants are expected to build lasting connections and contribute to the development of a future-oriented international semiconductor talent network.
Provider: NCKU News Center
Date: 2026-06-29
Group photo of the opening ceremony for Taiwan-Europe Semiconductor Short-term Training Program
The opening ceremony was held on June 29 and hosted by Prof. Ming-Chi Chou, Associate Dean of AISSM
Executive Vice President Yung-Chun Lee welcomed the participants on behalf of NCKU and emphasized the university’s commitment to advancing international collaboration and cultivating globally minded talent.
Mr. David Steinke, Representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office Taipei, attended the opening ceremony in person and encouraged the participants to make the most of this valuable learning opportunity in Taiwan.
Associate Dean Ming-Chi Chou welcomed the participants and expressed his hope that the program would further strengthen Taiwan–Europe semiconductor cooperation while advancing AISSM’s mission of cultivating international semiconductor talent.
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