Targeting the AI and Semiconductor Talent Race: Yuan Ze University Marked a New Milestone with the Launch of Its Semiconductor Research Center at the 37th Anniversary Celebration
Yuan Ze University held a series of events on March 14 to celebrate its 37th anniversary, with this year’s theme centered on “Advanced Technology and Sustainable Development.” Among the highlights of the celebration, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Semiconductor and Environmental Technology Center Building drew the greatest attention, symbolizing a significant step forward in the University’s strategic deployment for semiconductor research and talent cultivation. Ming‑Chu Wang, Deputy Mayor of Taoyuan City, also attended the event to extend congratulations and witness this important milestone.
In his remarks, Ching‑Jung Liao, President of Yuan Ze University, stated that in response to changes in the higher education landscape and future development challenges, the University’s strategic focus would center on three key directions. The first was strengthening the linkage between technology and industry. With the Semiconductor and Environmental Technology Center Building officially breaking ground and scheduled for completion within one year, the University aimed to integrate teaching, research, and industry–academia collaboration, while further deepening partnerships with international universities to cultivate next‑generation technology talent.
The second focus was the comprehensive promotion of AI education. President Liao noted that Yuan Ze University had become the first university in Taiwan to designate AI as a mandatory subject, with all departments planning 12 to 15 credits of AI‑related coursework. He emphasized that AI had become a fundamental competency for the new generation, and that students were encouraged to harness and create value with AI rather than be replaced by it. In parallel, the University continued to advance its internationalization strategy, achieving notable progress in international student enrollment, faculty recruitment, and English‑Medium Instruction (EMI) courses in recent years, and receiving the QS Award for Internationalization Progress. President Liao stressed that the University would continue moving forward through innovation and collaboration, with the goal of becoming a distinguished century‑old institution.
On the same day, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Semiconductor and Environmental Technology Center Building was held, and the establishment of the Semiconductor Research Center was officially announced. The Center was designed as an interdisciplinary research and talent cultivation platform, integrating resources from the College of Electrical and Communication Engineering and the College of Engineering. By combining coursework, hands‑on training, and advanced facilities, the Center aimed to cultivate talents with expertise in wafer fabrication processes, nanomaterials, thin‑film deposition, packaging and testing, and materials analysis. The Center also promoted research on third‑generation semiconductors, compound semiconductor materials, and AI‑enabled process applications, while establishing advanced materials analysis platforms to enhance overall research and development capacity.
Looking ahead, the Semiconductor Research Center planned to collaborate with domestic and international semiconductor enterprises and research institutions to deepen industry–academia exchange and technology transfer. The Center also aimed to develop international dual‑degree programs and practice‑oriented courses, cultivating interdisciplinary talents and advancing core objectives in talent development, international collaboration, industrial innovation, and materials analysis, thereby strengthening the University’s research capabilities in semiconductor processes and materials science.
At noon, an alumni networking banquet was held in the University gymnasium, with 50 tables arranged to welcome alumni from Taiwan and abroad back to campus. Alumni gathered with former teachers and classmates in a warm and lively atmosphere. During the banquet, the University publicly honored the Seventh Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, including Chien‑Chin Lien, alumnus of the bachelor’s and master’s programs in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, currently Chief Executive Officer of Giantplus Technology Co., Ltd.; Wu‑Jing Wang, alumnus of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, currently General Manager and Acting CEO of Kien Hsing Optoelectronics Co., Ltd.; Chia‑Cheng Lu, alumnus of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, currently Business Group General Manager at Cisco Systems (USA); Kun‑Nan Wei, alumnus of the Executive Master of Business Administration Program and the Doctoral Program in Management, currently Chairman of the Yuan Ze University Alumni Association; and Yao‑Hsing Yu, alumnus of the Executive Master of Business Administration Program, currently Chairman of Yao‑Hsing Technology Co., Ltd.
These five distinguished alumni were recognized for their outstanding achievements in corporate leadership and industrial development, as well as their long‑standing commitment to and support for their alma mater, serving as exemplary role models for the Yuan Ze community.
The anniversary celebration featured a rich array of activities, including the Anniversary Sports Meet, Campus Fair, the 26th Community Arts Festival, and the World Cultural Carnival International Market, along with a series of college‑week events. The University also welcomed senior high school students for campus visits and collaborated with surrounding community resources to promote interaction with residents. With food markets, student club performances, art exhibitions, and family‑friendly experiences, the campus was transformed into a festive space open to the public, showcasing Yuan Ze University’s vibrant campus life and strong social engagement.
Yuan Ze University stated that it would continue to deepen interdisciplinary research, strengthen international linkages and industry–academia collaboration, and position semiconductor technology and sustainable development as key strategic priorities. By working closely with alumni and industry partners, the University aimed to cultivate talents equipped with global perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility, advancing toward a university with greater impact and sustainable value.
English Version：https://yznews.yzu.edu.tw/index.php/en-us/
