ICI-IMAS Joint Course Explores Taiwan's Semiconductor Industry Through Field Visits
The joint course, “Semiconductor Industry in the Era of Techno-Geopolitics,” offered by the International College of Innovation (ICI) and the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS), successfully concluded its third field trip on December 16. Students traveled to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) Museum of Innovation in Hsinchu, exploring the vital role of integrated circuits in modern life and TSMC’s contributions to global semiconductor advancements and Taiwan’s economic growth. The museum’s interactive displays, digital content, and historical exhibits provided an engaging learning experience.
The group then visited the Science Park Exploration Museum, which chronicles the evolution of the Hsinchu Science Park—central to Taiwan’s technological development since the 1980s. This marked the third field-based activity, a cornerstone of the course’s experiential learning approach.
The first field trip on October 15 was to WT Microelectronics, the world’s leading semiconductor distributor. Representatives outlined the semiconductor supply chain, emphasizing the company’s role as a logistics intermediary connecting upstream component manufacturers with downstream electronics producers. WT Microelectronics also expressed enthusiasm for recruiting international talent to support its global operations.
On November 5, the class visited Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography (ASML), the global leader in photolithography technology, which is critical for transferring intricate circuit patterns onto silicon wafers. ASML extended a warm welcome to the students, addressing their questions with insights from production line engineers, offering hands-on experiences with protective gear, and showcasing its manufacturing processes through an engaging virtual presentation.
To enrich the learning experience, students visited the Taoyuan Winery, a 110-year-old establishment originally founded to boost Taiwan’s economy through sake production. The visit highlighted parallels between the value-added strategies of Taiwan’s traditional agricultural industry and its modern semiconductor sector, culminating in a sake tasting session.
This course, designed and instructed by the renowned former TSMC’s R&D Chief Dr. Konrad Yang (ICI’s adjunct professor), highlights the effort of NCCU to engage students in learning about semiconductor industry. Students praised the course for its seamless integration of classroom learning with industry insights, which enriched their understanding of Taiwan’s semiconductor landscape. IMAS Director Philip Hsiaopong Liu emphasized that a core feature of IMAS education is providing international students with opportunities to learn beyond the classroom through field studies, thereby deepening their understanding of Taiwan. Meanwhile, ICI Dean Wenling Tu described the course as a model of innovation and expressed plans to explore similar educational formats in the future.
