Asia University to Establish a Semiconductor Hub with Equipment Donation from JTRON Technology
Asia University President Jeffry J.P Tsai stating that Asia University established its Semiconductor Industry-Academia Program 15 years ago, with outstanding achievements from its alumni.
On the morning of March 11, Asia University held a distinguished lecture featuring JTRON Technology Chairman Lin Yi-Min, who spoke on "Taiwan's Semiconductor Supply Chain: Present and Future – Industry-Academia Collaboration for a New Semiconductor Blueprint." The event, held both in person and online, attracted a large audience of faculty and students.
Following the lecture, Asia University President Jeffry J.P Tsai and Lin Yi-Min signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with JTRON Technology donating semiconductor testing equipment to support the establishment of a semiconductor hub at the university. This initiative aims to cultivate semiconductor talent in central Taiwan and strengthen the academic and technical capabilities of both parties in talent development.
President Jeffry J.P Tsai highlighted Lin Yi-Min significant contributions to the semiconductor industry and education. He noted that 15 years ago, Asia University, under the leadership of Professor Hsu Chien—one of Taiwan’s first-generation semiconductor experts trained in Silicon Valley—launched the Semiconductor Industry-Academia Program. This program has successfully trained hundreds of high-level engineers who have gone on to work at leading global companies such as Apple Germany, Qualcomm USA, Synopsys USA, UK Semiconductor, TSMC, and China Innovation. Asia University’s international students have also excelled, with some featured in a promotional video by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, showcasing their semiconductor training and contributions to the industry after graduation.
President Jeffry J.P Tsai emphasized that Asia University’s semiconductor program has achieved a 100% employment rate for its graduates. Among its notable alumni, Indonesian graduate Hutomo Suryo Wasisto pursued a Ph.D. in nano-microelectromechanical systems at the University of Brunswick in Germany. His research was recognized by MIT’s Intellectual Property Office and incorporated into educational materials, earning him the European Young Scientist Award. He currently leads the OptoSense research group at the Laboratory for Emerging Nanometrology (LENA) in Germany. Additionally, Indian graduate Neelam Agarwal, a distinguished alumna of the semiconductor program, is now a senior engineer at Renesas, a global leader in microcontrollers. She has also delivered an outstanding presentation at the Women in Semiconductor conference in the United States, demonstrating her expertise in the field.
President Jeffry J.P Tsai highlighted that Asia University has been dedicated to semiconductor education for many years, collaborating with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley). The university’s Semiconductor Industry-Academia Program features a semiconductor device design lab that utilizes MIT-authorized textbooks, including Microelectronics and Product Design and Development, with official authorization from MIT professors. The program was also selected by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs as part of the Smart Electronics Institute and received a "Highly Recommended" rating from the Ministry of Education.
In recent years, Asia University has actively participated in the Ministry of Education’s Semiconductor Industry-Academia Collaboration Program, partnering with institutions in India and Indonesia. President Jeffry J.P Tsai emphasized the global demand for semiconductor talent and praised Chairman Lin Yi-Min’s visionary commitment to talent development. With the rapid growth of the semiconductor industry, Asia University has prioritized industry-academia collaboration to cultivate highly skilled professionals with practical experience. Through its partnership with Jecorn Technology, the university aims to equip students with a solid academic foundation and hands-on expertise in cutting-edge testing technologies, preparing them to become the backbone of the semiconductor industry.
During his distinguished lecture, Lin Yi-Min provided an in-depth overview of semiconductor development. He noted that while the semiconductor industry is relatively young, it has become an integral part of everyday life and even national security. Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain encompasses top-tier enterprises across IC design, wafer fabrication, packaging, testing, and distribution. However, he pointed out that while Taiwan is a major consumer of semiconductor equipment, it has yet to establish itself as a leading equipment supplier.
JTRON Technology Chairman Lin Yi-Min emphasized that for Taiwan to maintain its leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, it must focus on advancing process technology and high-end packaging while strengthening partnerships across the supply chain. Most importantly, sustained collaboration between academia, industry, and government is essential to continuously inject fresh talent and keep the semiconductor industry thriving.
Lin Yi-Min highlighted the shift of the semiconductor industry from labor-intensive to technology-driven processes, with increasing emphasis on smart automation. JTRON’s donation of the V101 system—a cutting-edge edge computing platform designed for semiconductor chip testing—will play a crucial role in integrating software and hardware. He noted that semiconductor testing has traditionally been underrepresented in academic curricula, and hands-on training opportunities for students have been limited. In real-world manufacturing environments, new engineers rarely get the chance to operate complex testing machines immediately.
Through this collaboration, JTRON aims to bridge the gap by equipping students with industry knowledge and hands-on experience in semiconductor testing. By allowing students to operate professional equipment at the university’s semiconductor hub, they will be industry-ready upon graduation. This initiative will not only provide valuable internship opportunities but also enhance students’ understanding and application of advanced technologies, creating a win-win-win situation for the industry, the university, and students alike.
Both parties have agreed to jointly establish a Semiconductor Research Center at Asia University, with JTRON Technology supporting the creation of a Semiconductor Talent Training Hub in Central Taiwan. The initiative will develop specialized curricula to train semiconductor testing and equipment engineers. In addition to training Asia University students, the program will expand its reach to cultivate talent across the region while actively attracting international semiconductor professionals to Taiwan.
To further enhance students' practical experience, Asia University has introduced diverse off-campus internship programs. JTRON Technology will provide hands-on training opportunities, including internships, graduate research projects, and specialized training programs tailored for Asia University students. By fostering industry-academia collaboration, both institutions are committed to nurturing top semiconductor talent and strengthening Taiwan's global leadership in the semiconductor industry.
Asia University President Jeffry J.P Tsai (right) and JTRON Technology Chairman Lin Yi-Min (left) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for collaboration.
JTRON Technology Chairman Lin Yi-Min (left) donating the company’s V101 system to establish a semiconductor hub at Asia University, with Asia University President Jeffry J.P Tsai (right) accepting the donation on behalf of the university.
Asia University and Jecorn Technology jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and held an equipment donation ceremony. The image features Asia University President Tsai Jin-Fa (4th right), Jecorn Technology Chairman Lin Yi-Min (5th right), and representatives from both parties posing for a group photo.
