In response to the urgent demand for semiconductor equipment talent, the Taiwan subsidiary of Applied Materials, a leading company in advanced semiconductor and display equipment, has partnered with Chung Yuan Christian University to offer the “Advanced Semiconductor Equipment” course. The company has invested nearly a million resources to provide professional instructors and facility visits, giving students an early understanding of advanced semiconductor equipment work and building a talent pool for the industry.
This collaboration between industry and academia is transforming university education. Starting from the 112th academic year, Chung Yuan Christian University and Applied Materials Taiwan will jointly offer the “Applied Materials Taiwan Series – Advanced Semiconductor Equipment” course. This elective course is available to senior undergraduate and graduate students in all science and engineering departments. The course content includes lectures by more than ten senior engineers and managers from Applied Materials, covering the principles and practical aspects of the latest semiconductor equipment. Additionally, Din-Lu Yu, Vice President of the Applied Materials Group and President of Applied Materials Taiwan, will deliver a keynote speech titled “The Path to Innovation,” introducing students to the core values and development strategies of advanced semiconductor equipment manufacturers and their crucial role in the industry.
Additionally, the course includes a visit to the Applied Materials Global Technical Training Center in Taiwan, where experienced engineers explain the principles and operation of the equipment. This visit leaves a strong impression on the students about advanced semiconductor equipment. At the end of the semester, the students present a poster display summarizing their course achievements, reporting on various topics to industry professionals and faculty members. This demonstrates that the students have gained a deeper understanding of the types and working principles of advanced semiconductor equipment, and it has also increased their willingness to pursue careers in this field.
The course instructor, Deputy Director Wang Baoqi from Applied Materials Taiwan, stated that the company has invested no less than one million NT dollars in this course to cultivate relevant talent. Over twenty industry professionals have participated as instructors, aiming to expand Chung Yuan Christian University students’ understanding of semiconductor equipment and increase their interest in pursuing careers in this field, thereby fostering the growth of the industry. Additionally, Applied Materials Taiwan awards certificates of completion to students who earn credits from the course, enhancing their competitiveness in the job market.
Professor Yuan Jizu, Vice Dean of Academic Affairs and a professor in the Department of Physics at Chung Yuan Christian University, expressed his gratitude to Applied Materials Taiwan for providing such abundant resources to the students. He believes that more students will benefit from this collaboration in the future. This initiative aligns with the university’s goal of developing semiconductor-related talent. He hopes to further strengthen cooperation with Applied Materials Taiwan in course offerings, research, and industry-academic exchanges.
Director of the Master’s Program in Semiconductor Materials and Optoelectronic Inspection at Chung Yuan Christian University, Dr. Li Lianglun, pointed out that future competition is global, transcending regions and nationalities. To enhance students’ competitiveness, the university, with the assistance of alumni Mr. Wang Ningguo, former Global Executive Vice President of Applied Materials, and Dean Wu Zongyuan of the College of Science, secured this course from Applied Materials Taiwan. Through the practical experiences and knowledge shared by senior frontline engineers and managers from Applied Materials Taiwan, students can acquire up-to-date industry knowledge. The university also plans to invite industry professionals to give lectures on campus and share the latest information.
Chung Yuan Christian University spares no effort in cultivating semiconductor talent. In addition to collaborating with Applied Materials, the world’s largest semiconductor and display equipment manufacturer, to offer a semiconductor equipment course, the university has also partnered with several domestic semiconductor companies to engage in industry-academic cooperation, establish joint laboratories, offer interdisciplinary semiconductor programs, and create new international specialized programs to recruit international students. The university aims to build a “Semiconductor Talent Bank” and continues to make progress toward this goal.
