TSMC VP Dr. Arthur Chuang Discusses Top Talent Management in the Semiconductor Industry
TSMC Vice President of Operations, Dr. Arthur Chuang, addressed students and faculty at the NTNU College of Technology and Engineering (CTE) in a lecture hosted by the College of Technology and Engineering on November 23.
In his lecture, titled “Navigation and Vision: The Path and Prospect of Science and Technology,” Dr. Chuang shared his professional journey -- from joining TSMC in 1989, to his current role as Vice President -- highlighting the accompanying shifts in perspective and sense of mission that the transition to senior management entailed. His talk focused on TSMC’s philosophies on talent management, as well as future trends for the semiconductor industry.
“This event marked the first large-scale lecture at the CTE be co-organized by student representative Yutong Jung (’25) and members of the faculty,” CTE Vice Dean Li-hsing Liu said. “It highlights the university increasing focus on technology and engineering innovations.” The event was attended by students, deans, and professors from various faculties.
Dr. Chuang, a TSMS veteran with over 25 years of experience, oversaw major TSMC projects including the construction of Fab 15B, Nanjing Fab, and Fab 18A. He was instrumental in integrating and improving TSMC’s fabrication systems, and actively promotes green manufacturing, with governance over areas including energy and water management, waste management, and air quality control in line with the United Nations ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) guidelines.
During his talk, Dr. Chuang detailed the diverse scope of TSMC’s business operations, from new plant design, to factory operations and technological development, to public facility services. In the past decade, the company has expanded investments in green manufacturing and ESG compliance. He emphasized that factory operations are the cornerstone of the wafer operation plant, and described his team as “opinionated, professional, and responsible,” likening them to the steadfast base of a pyramid that provides a solid foundation for TSMC’s leadership in the industry.
As a member of the senior management, Dr. Chuang said he depends on a streamlined and systematized management methodology. “Team work is about having shared goals,” he said. Qualities valued by the operations team are dedication, enthusiasm, conscientiousness, and a pursuit of excellence.
Dr. Chuang compared the role of department managers to that of parents, who must simultaneously lead and manage their teams. Beyond day-to-day operations, management requires a system that enables a grasp of existing conditions and future developments of the department.
Dr. Chuang said in order to guide a team to realize transformations, it is important to cultivate talent and professionalism with a view to the future. Most importantly, those who are willing to encourage team work and problem solve have the potential to become the next generation of leaders.
During the Q&A segment, Dr. Chuang talked about the industry's diverse talent needs, from R&D to customer service, and advised against overreliance on AI technology. He encouraged students to have the courage to try new things and not to limit their careers to their field of study. On developing management skills, he stressed the importance of a people-centered approach, “Good leadership stems from understanding and integrating management principles with professional knowledge,” he said.
NTNU Executive Vice President Kwun-Min Chen expressed hope that through this lecture, students would gain a multi-faceted understanding of the global semiconductor giant, and delve into current issues and future developments of the semiconductor industry.