Realizing Industry Academia Collaboration: Taiwan’s First Semiconductor Academy at NYCU Takes on the Semiconductor World Cup Interview with Dean Yuan Chen Sun of the IAIS

By DIGITIMES
Translated by Hsuchuan
Edited by Chance Lai
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Stan Shih, the distinguished alumnus of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) and founder of Acer, has stated that upgrading Taiwan's global competitiveness and promoting economic development necessitate urgent industrial transformation and talent cultivation. By integrating corporate R&D tasks into universities and systematically strengthening the connection between industry and academia, campuses can become the "Taiwan 3.0" industrial research parks following the science parks. The initiative Shih referred to is the "Semiconductor Academy," co-funded by the National Development Fund and private enterprises, which stands as another profoundly impactful innovation in Taiwan after the science parks.

In accordance with the "Act for the Recruitment and Cultivation of Talent in Key Fields," NYCU received approval from the Ministry of Education in July 2021 to establish Taiwan's first Semiconductor Academy, the Industry Academia Innovation School (IAIS). The IAIS was officially inaugurated in December 2021.

The IAIS was jointly established by NYCU and seven partnering enterprises: TSMC, Foxconn, Wistron, PSMC, Advantech, MediaTek, and Novatek. Adhering to the CCIC philosophy (Connect, Collaborate, Innovate, Co-Create) and aiming for sustainable operation, the IAIS has established the "Institute of Pioneer Semiconductor Innovation" and the "Institute of Artificial Intelligence Innovation." By actively collaborating with leading industry players, the goal is to create a "co-creation" platform for academia and industry to conduct cutting-edge research and accelerate the cultivation of local high-tech industry talents. In the short term, this aims to alleviate immediate talent shortages, while in the medium to long term, it seeks to develop future leaders with international vision and capabilities.

The IAIS is led by Dean Yuan-Chen Sun, former CTO of TSMC and Chair Professor at the International College of Semiconductor Technology (ICST) of NYCU. The first cohort of students was admitted in February 2022, followed by the second in August. The first batch of master's students graduated in January 2024, marking the graduation of the initial cohort from the six experimental "Semiconductor Academies."

The IAIS welcomed its first cohort of master's graduates this January. In the front row, from left to right: NYCU Vice President Jenn-Hwan Tarng, NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin, then Director-General of the Department of Higher Education Chun-Chang Chu, IAIS Dean Yuan-Chen Sun, and Dean of the ICST Yi Chang. (Photo fromCommonWealth Magazine)

Sustainable Operations Lead Academy Towards Positive Cycle

Dean Yuan-Chen Sun stated in an interview with DIGITIMES that the establishment of this academy symbolizes pioneers. With the spirit of openness in specialized laws, the academy aims to pioneer new spillover effects and industry-academia collaboration paradigms. However, it is an experiment in higher education, and the IAIS positions itself as sustainable. It will strive to propose new methods and lead the transformation of higher education.

Yuan-Chen Sun pointed out that the academy receives at least 300 million NTD annually from corporate donations, National Development Fund subsidies, in addition to other sources of income. The main difference between the academy and traditional university research institutes lies in its industry-academia collaboration platform, where funds are actively utilized. Apart from industry experts, international masters also teach, and doctoral students conduct research off-site. Furthermore, courses are planned in management and non-academic fields.

Yuan-Chen Sun emphasized that the IAIS pursues excellence in industry, academia, and innovation, combining theory with practice. This approach enables students to possess an industry-oriented mindset before entering the workforce. The benefit to the industry is the increase in the talent pool and the ability of new hires to adapt quickly. Once the industry sees the benefits, they consider future projects and collaborations with the school. Companies are also willing to provide equipment for student internships, benefiting students, faculty, and businesses. As for the industry-academia doctoral candidates nurtured by the IAIS, the emphasis is not on the number of published papers but on their ability to discern trends, solve problems, and think independently.

"We're not concerned about the possibility of shutting down once the Industry Academia Innovation Act expires or if companies are unwilling to renew their donations. Because whether these experiments have value or not can be openly examined by everyone. Our job is to create value, and as long as there is value, there will be someone willing to foot the bill, and fundraising becomes relatively easy," Yuan-Chen Sun stated. Corporate donations are legally committed for only 8 to 12 years, but Yuan-Chen Sun is very confident in the sustainability of the IAIS. Even if certain companies cease donations after their contracts expire, Yuan-Chen Sun is optimistic about finding new sponsoring companies.

Yuan-Chen Sun pointed out that the faculty at IAIS are also part of the regular staff, and their job rights are guaranteed. They are not affected by the expiration of the Innovation Act. In 2023, NYCU launched the Department of Semiconductor Engineering. With two research institutes at the IAIS, along with the existing Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, NYCU has established a complete ecosystem for semiconductor talent education.

After the passage of the Innovation Act, universities across the nation have been establishing research institutes one after another; students from IAIS are graduating the first batch of students nationwide.

IAIS Admits 30 Doctoral Students Within two Years of Inception

Yuan-Chen Sun remarked, "I am very optimistic because semiconductors are ubiquitous. Unless extraterrestrials bring new elements, semiconductors will remain crucial and fundamental technology on Earth. This is vastly different from the complete obsolescence of vacuum tubes. Taiwan must continue moving forward and remain rooted. After graduation, students will take pride in studying here, and NYCU will also take pride in its students.

The enrollment situation for doctoral programs in major Taiwanese universities has been less than ideal, weakening the academic research capabilities. Yuan-Chen Sun stated that the reasons for the decrease in doctoral students are well-known, and the immediate employment of master's graduates poses a tsunami-like impact on Taiwan's academic community. However, Yuan-Chen Sun now sees some opportunities.

Yuan-Chen Sun stated, "Pursuing a doctoral degree satisfies one's thirst for knowledge and is an investment in oneself. I often use 'Dean's Coffee Time' to discuss the meaning of pursuing a Ph.D. with students. If students need to earn a living and support their families soon after graduation, they will naturally choose to enter the industry immediately.

However, there are opportunities in the future. In that case, they should also consider returning to school for a Ph.D. because only by obtaining a doctoral degree can one qualify for a 'dual role' in academia and industry. Only then can one truly learn how to identify problems, solve them, and think independently." Furthermore, pursuing a Ph.D. is not just about studying; it also offers opportunities for innovation. The industry also recognizes this and will naturally create positions for Ph.D. holders.

Yuan-Chen Sun pointed out that the IAIS has attracted 30 doctoral students within two years primarily because the school offers generous scholarships. "We have our scholarships, and students do not need to apply for them after admission. As soon as doctoral students enroll, they receive scholarships. As long as good research students are willing to pursue their studies, we provide them. Doctoral students should be positioned as a transitional profession, and their income should not be too low. If foreign doctoral students fail to pass the qualification exam, they can obtain a master's degree. Under specialized legislation, we also follow this practice."

Yuan-Chen Sun expressed that currently, there are very few graduate students in Taiwan's science and engineering fields who pursue further studies abroad. The reason is that Taiwan's professors and industry experts are exceptionally top-notch talents in these fields, especially in the semiconductor domain.

Moreover, with Taiwan's industry and cutting-edge technology, students may not necessarily need to obtain degrees abroad. However, from the school's perspective, it is still hoped that students will broaden their horizons by studying abroad, allowing them to develop a more international perspective and understand new global knowledge. Through overseas research opportunities, the reluctance of Taiwanese students to study abroad can be addressed.

The Birth of Taiwan 3.0 Industrial Research Park