Exhibitions by universities highlight Taiwan's prospects for academic pursuits
In a significant step towards strengthening the relationship between Taiwan and Kumamoto, the first-ever exhibition co-organised by the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET) and the Japan Committee of Universities for International Exchange took place in Kumamoto, Japan. The event aimed to attract foreign students and showcase the talents of Taiwanese universities in various fields, including education, business management, design, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors.
FICHET chairperson Li Tsai-yen emphasised the choice of Kumamoto as the host city, stating that it reflects the growing relationship between Taiwan and Kumamoto in the semiconductor sector. Notably, Japan is one of the top four countries of origin for international students studying in Taiwan.
The semiconductor sector collaboration between Taiwan and Japan has been on the rise, with Taiwan being recognised as Japan's top partner in this sector. The event provided an opportunity for National Taiwan Normal University, National Chengchi University, Shih Chien University, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, and other participating universities to demonstrate their talent development and nurturing in this field.
However, there is a lack of specific information on Taiwanese universities participating directly in Japan's semiconductor sector education. While broader educational exchanges between the two countries, such as those in public security and infrastructure, have been fruitful, details on educational or research programs related to semiconductors are not highlighted in the available information.
The strong participation of Japanese students in the event reflects the ongoing educational and cultural exchange between Japan and Taiwan. As of this year, 8,779 Japanese students have studied in Taiwan, and more than 3,200 are enrolled in Mandarin programs. The universities and the Taiwan Mandarin Educational Resources Center attracted the interest of young visitors and parents due to the wide range of subjects Japanese students could study in Taiwan.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) operates a fab in Japan through its majority-owned Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing in Kumamoto. Initially, TSMC was set to begin construction of a second fab in Kumamoto this year, but a delay occurred due to resident complaints about a surge of traffic.
The potential for future educational exchanges in the semiconductor sector between Taiwan and Japan is promising, given the existing collaboration and trust between the two countries in various fields, including education and technology. This could involve research collaborations, joint workshops, or exchange programs that leverage the strengths of both countries in technology and innovation.
In conclusion, the Kumamoto exhibition served as a platform to foster collaboration and strengthen ties between Taiwan and Japan in the semiconductor sector, despite the lack of specific information on Taiwanese universities participating in Japan's semiconductor sector education. The event underscored the mutual interest and potential for future cooperation between the two countries in this area.
Online education was introduced as a means for Taiwanese universities to showcase their talents in the semiconductor sector during the co-organized exhibition in Kumamoto, Japan. To capitalize on this potential, there is a need for Taiwanese universities to explore formal online education programs in semiconductors to further strengthen the educational relationship between Taiwan and Japan.
