The "Merck Lecture Hall" at NCKU delves into the crucial role of material intelligence in advancing semiconductor technology.
With rapid technological advancements, especially in fields like artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things, there's been exponential growth in data and a demand for next-generation semiconductors. "Materials" play a crucial role throughout the semiconductor value chain. With over a century of materials experience in semiconductor and display technologies, Merck continuously drives technological advancements leveraging its expertise in materials science. Dr. John Langan emphasized the effective use of machine learning algorithms to model new materials for process improvements. During the lecture on May 29th titled "Exploring Mega Trends in the Semiconductor Industry," he comprehensively covered global semiconductor industry trends, focusing on areas like AI, heterogeneous integration, AR/VR/XR, sustainability, all closely related to the research and development of materials science. He illustrated how materials science contributes to the advancement of semiconductor technology through real-world examples from the industry.
Following the success of the "Semiconductor Industry Master Lecture" in 2022, Dr. John Lee, Chairman of Merck Taiwan, returned to NCKU on May 29th to share his career experiences. Having worked in six companies across five different countries, he emphasized the importance of tackling challenges and persisting until success is achieved. Dr. Lee encouraged students to set long-term goals and embrace challenges to continuously improve themselves for the benefit of society, echoing Merck's corporate spirit of "Curiosity is in our DNA."
The College of Semiconductor at NCKU collaborates with industries to nurture high-level talent, aiming to strengthen Taiwan's semiconductor, circular economy, and smart manufacturing industries. In the second semester of the 112th academic year, the college partnered with Merck Group to offer the "Merck Lecture Hall" course titled "Driving Semiconductor Technology with Next-Generation Materials." Conducted entirely in English, the three-week course spanning nine hours systematically introduces material integration, digitization, and sustainable innovation. The course content covers current trends in the semiconductor industry and materials science development, attracting students from various departments within the university, including the College of Semiconductor, College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Science, and College of Engineering.
The "Merck Lecture Hall" at the College of Semiconductor emphasizes AI-driven innovation in semiconductor materials to realize a vision of mutual prosperity for both industry and the environment. The course topics include the application of machine learning and generative AI in developing novel semiconductor materials and a focus on sustainable development by exploring environmentally friendly materials and material assessment techniques. Notable industry and academic speakers include Dr. Vijay Kris Narasimhan, Research Director of Merck Group's Electronics Technology business unit, Dr. Lu Gan, Director of Technology Development Strategy at Merck, Dr. Wen-Dung Hsu, Director of Semiconductor Packaging Program at NCKU, and Professor Jun Mizuno, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing at NCKU.
Merck, a global leader in science and technology, was founded in 1668 and headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany. Operating in 65 countries worldwide, Merck spans three major sectors: life sciences, healthcare, and electronics. Merck Taiwan was established in 1989 and celebrated its 35th anniversary in Taiwan. In 2021, Merck announced a NT$17 billion investment to establish the world's first large-scale semiconductor materials production and application research center, the Mega Site, at the Southern Taiwan Science Park in Kaohsiung. The production line is expected to commence operations in the second half of 2025.
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The "Merck Lecture Hall" hosted by the College of Intelligent Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing at NCKU took place on the morning of May 29th at the Xunhui Auditorium on the Tzu-Chiang Campus. Dr. John Langan, the Chief Technology Officer of Merck Group's Electronics Technology business unit, personally delivered a captivating presentation on "Exploring Major Trends in the Semiconductor Industry."
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The College of Semiconductor at NCKU collaborated with Merck Group to offer the "Merck Lecture Hall" course in May 2024. This course spanned three weeks, totaling nine hours, and provided a systematic introduction to material integration, digitization, and sustainable innovation. The content covered current trends in the semiconductor industry and materials science development.
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Following the "Semiconductor Industry Master Lecture" in 2022, Dr. Chun-Lung Lee, Chairman of Merck Taiwan, visited the campus of NCKU once again on May 29th. He shared his career experiences and encouraged students to set long-term goals, embrace challenges, and continuously refine themselves to create excellence and benefit society.
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