Targeting Third-Generation Semiconductor Talents: NCKU and Diodes Incorporated Launch Cooperation-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

Written by Amber Tien. Image credit to Yao Tian Sun.

National Cheng Kung University and Diodes Incorporated held a widely attended industry-academia cooperation launching ceremony at the Diodes Incorporated Asia-Pacific headquarters in Taipei on February 8th. Guests include the President of NCKU, Meng-Ru Shen, CEO of Diodes Incorporated, Dr. Keh-Shew Lu, guests from Diodes’ subsidiaries, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Wen-Sheng Tseng, Deputy Director of the Economic Development Bureau in Tainan City, Fu-Zen Shaw, representatives from the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan Stock Exchange, and more, witnessing the announcement of two parties joining hands in the cultivation of third-generation semiconductor talents.

The cooperation between Diodes Incorporated and NCKU will be based on three aspects: brand, talent, and industry-academia. Diodes Incorporated is expected to invest 3 years in this cooperation, along with an amount exceeding 10 million NTD. In addition to the 6 million NTD Dr. Keh-Shew Lu previously donated to the to NCKU Nova Project Scholarship to assist NCKU in recruiting outstanding talents, this is the highest amount Diodes has invested in industry-academia talent cultivation. Diodes anticipates the development of high power devices, system integration and application, and talent cultivation along with NCKU.

MOEA Deputy Minister, Wen-Sheng Tseng stated that Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is very dependent on imports when it comes to equipment and raw materials. However, manufacturers are now gradually investing in Taiwan, hoping to shorten the supply chain and to condense the value chain locally. In the future, the cooperation between NCKU and Diodes can accelerate the development of third-generation semiconductors, creating a better environment for talent cultivation, hopefully resulting in a smooth transition for the next stage of industrial development.

Diodes CEO, Dr. Keh-Shew Lu said that in the future, Diodes and NCKU will gather resources from both parties through the establishment of a promotion committee, invest in R&D and innovation, generate economic value, and create opportunities for a mutually beneficial situation. Furthermore, he wishes to establish a "Silicon Shield" for Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.

NCKU President, Meng-Ru Shen said that in the process of envisioning the future and expanding external connections, in addition to the school’s resources, a healthy partnership with the industry is also a winning factor. Shen stated that it is a great honor to have Dr. Keh-Shew Lu provide this opportunity, and he looks forward to turning universities into a source of connection to provide future talents.

Afterwards, NCKU distinguished Professor Dr. Huey-Jen Su presented a pending university diploma belonging to Dr. Keh-Shew Lu and both parties exchanged gifts in a cheerful atmosphere. MOEA Deputy Minister Tseng, Diodes CEO Dr. Keh-Shew Lu, Diodes Senior Vice President of Business Groups Gary Yu, Diodes President of the Asia Pacific Region Andy Tsong, along with NCKU representatives President Shen, Executive Vice President Dr. Yau-Hwang Kuo, and Dean of Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing Yan-Kuin Su hosted the ceremony together.

NCKU is known for its innovative R&D talent cultivation and close cooperation with the industry, leading national policies and key development of the industry. After passing the regulation National Key Fields Industry-University Cooperation and Skilled Personnel Training in 2021, in response to the demand for semiconductor talent development, NCKU has also taken the lead in Taiwan with the core aspects "Artificial Intelligence" and "Energy Sustainability", furthermore establishing the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing. Founded in 1959, Diodes is an integrated device manufacturer focused on semiconductor R&D, design, production, and sales, and has vertically integrated wafer fabrication, probing, and packaging. It is one of the constituent stocks of the US S&P 500 and Russell 3000 Index and is an all-rounded global semiconductor manufacturer.

Dr. Keh-Shew Lu earned a bachelor’s degree from NCKU in electrical engineering in 1969 and then pursued further studies in the United States. Involved in the semiconductor industry for more than 45 years, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award and an Honorary Doctorate degree from NCKU in 2008 and 2022 respectively. With a goal of building an IDM company led by Chinese, Dr. Keh-Shew Lu has led Diodes to accomplish significant milestones such as collecting market value of 1 billion US dollars and a revenue of 1 billion US dollars. In response to industrial development trends, following the establishment of the Southern Taiwan R&D Center in Shalun, Tainan in 2022, Diodes joined hands with NCKU to launch an industry-academia cooperation. Based on Diodes’ core technology, there is high anticipation that the precise investment of company resources can create a pragmatic industry-academia cooperation module and a foundation of local talents, strengthening the supply chain of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.