SDG4
"NCKU MSE Camp" Visits Applied Materials Taiwan, Connecting Students with Semiconductor Industry Practice
By Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NCKU; Lan-Li Weng | Photo by Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NCKU
Organized by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), the summer "NCKU MSE Camp" led high school campers on July 17 to visit Applied Materials Taiwan. Through company introductions, tours of the display manufacturing center and laboratories, cleanroom suit experiences, and alumni sharing sessions, the event allowed students to gain close-up insights into the global semiconductor and display equipment manufacturing industries, deepening their understanding of materials science and future career development. It also demonstrated the Department of Materials Science and Engineering's feature of talent cultivation combining academic, industrial, and alumni resources. The visit was jointly led by Prof. Wen-Dung Hsu, Chair of the NCKU Department of Materials Science and Engineering, alongside Prof. Bang-Yu Hsu and Prof. Chang-Yu Sun.
Independently planned and executed by undergraduate students of the department, the "NCKU MSE Camp" is a popular feature camp for high school students every summer. From event planning and course design to on-site execution, everything is divided and completed by the student team. This not only cultivates teamwork, communication, coordination, and problem-solving abilities, but also offers participating high school students a golden opportunity to glimpse university life, explore the materials science profession, and plan future career development.
During the event, Christy Pan, an NCKU Materials Science alumna working at Applied Materials Taiwan, was specifically invited to share her journey from campus to an international enterprise. She introduced career opportunities for materials science professionals in the semiconductor and display equipment industries and exchanged academic and career experiences with her younger peers, encouraging students to bravely explore different career possibilities and giving high school students a more concrete vision of future prospects in the materials field.
Applied Materials is the world's largest semiconductor and display equipment manufacturer, and Applied Materials Taiwan represents one of the most critical footprints in its global layout, accounting for approximately 24% of the parent company's revenue in 2025 and holding a pivotal position in the technology supply chain. This visit showcased the deep alumni heritage of the NCKU Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The current President of Applied Materials Taiwan, Timothy Soo, is a distinguished alumnus of the department who has long supported its development; the event was also planned and warmly hosted with the assistance of Vice Director Bao-Chi Wang, who is likewise a department alumnus. This gave students the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of R&D and manufacturing processes in the global semiconductor equipment industry, experiencing the alumni's spirit of heritage and giving back to their alma mater.
The NCKU Department of Materials Science and Engineering stated that in the future, it will continue to combine industry partners and alumni resources to build more diverse learning environments. Beyond the classroom, through field visits, corporate exchanges, and alumni experience sharing, students can connect with industry trends in advance, nurturing materials technology talent equipped with professional knowledge, practical capabilities, and international perspectives.
Organized by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), the summer "NCKU MSE Camp" led high school campers on July 17 to visit Applied Materials Taiwan. Through company introductions, tours of the display manufacturing center and laboratories, cleanroom suit experiences, and alumni sharing sessions, the event allowed students to gain close-up insights into the global semiconductor and display equipment manufacturing industries, deepening their understanding of materials science and future career development. It also demonstrated the Department of Materials Science and Engineering's feature of talent cultivation combining academic, industrial, and alumni resources. The visit was jointly led by Prof. Wen-Dung Hsu, Chair of the NCKU Department of Materials Science and Engineering, alongside Prof. Bang-Yu Hsu and Prof. Chang-Yu Sun.
Independently planned and executed by undergraduate students of the department, the "NCKU MSE Camp" is a popular feature camp for high school students every summer. From event planning and course design to on-site execution, everything is divided and completed by the student team. This not only cultivates teamwork, communication, coordination, and problem-solving abilities, but also offers participating high school students a golden opportunity to glimpse university life, explore the materials science profession, and plan future career development.
During the event, Christy Pan, an NCKU Materials Science alumna working at Applied Materials Taiwan, was specifically invited to share her journey from campus to an international enterprise. She introduced career opportunities for materials science professionals in the semiconductor and display equipment industries and exchanged academic and career experiences with her younger peers, encouraging students to bravely explore different career possibilities and giving high school students a more concrete vision of future prospects in the materials field.
Applied Materials is the world's largest semiconductor and display equipment manufacturer, and Applied Materials Taiwan represents one of the most critical footprints in its global layout, accounting for approximately 24% of the parent company's revenue in 2025 and holding a pivotal position in the technology supply chain. This visit showcased the deep alumni heritage of the NCKU Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The current President of Applied Materials Taiwan, Timothy Soo, is a distinguished alumnus of the department who has long supported its development; the event was also planned and warmly hosted with the assistance of Vice Director Bao-Chi Wang, who is likewise a department alumnus. This gave students the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of R&D and manufacturing processes in the global semiconductor equipment industry, experiencing the alumni's spirit of heritage and giving back to their alma mater.
The NCKU Department of Materials Science and Engineering stated that in the future, it will continue to combine industry partners and alumni resources to build more diverse learning environments. Beyond the classroom, through field visits, corporate exchanges, and alumni experience sharing, students can connect with industry trends in advance, nurturing materials technology talent equipped with professional knowledge, practical capabilities, and international perspectives.
"NCKU MSE Camp" visited Applied Materials Taiwan on July 17 for a corporate tour.
Students listened attentively to the introduction of Applied Materials Taiwan.
Students toured laboratories and the manufacturing center, and experienced cleanroom suits during the event.
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