International Students Explore Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry on Field Visit
English-language presentations, guided tours, and on-site discussions framed an industry field visit on December 10, as international students took part in a visit to Realtek Semiconductor Corp. and the Hsinchu Science Park Exploration Center. Organized by the Office of International Affairs, the program aimed to strengthen students’ understanding of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and high-tech workplace culture.
Through corporate briefings and direct interaction with industry professionals, students gained an overview of Taiwan’s role in the global semiconductor supply chain, as well as current developments in technological innovation and sustainability practices shaping the sector.
Participants came from 13 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Iran, Vietnam, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, and Malaysia, and represented 14 academic units across the university. These included the Department of Mechatronic Engineering, Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Graduate Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Business Administration, Graduate Institute of Management, Department of Physics, Department of Adult and Continuing Education, Graduate Institute of International Human Resource Development, Department of Chinese as a Second Language, Graduate Institute of Translation and Interpretation, and Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences. Approximately 45 percent of participants were enrolled in STEM-related fields, reflecting a mix of engineering, science, and humanities backgrounds.
Insights into Semiconductor Design and Corporate Practice
At Realtek Semiconductor, the visit was led by Ivy Chen, Director of Investor Relations, who introduced the company’s history, core product lines, and position within the global semiconductor industry. She explained that Realtek was founded by seven engineers and has long focused on integrated circuit (IC) design, with applications spanning network communications, computer peripherals, multimedia audio, automotive Ethernet, and emerging AIoT technologies.
Chen noted that the company’s corporate culture emphasizes professionalism, trust, and team development, supporting long-term talent cultivation. In response to questions on career pathways, she highlighted the growing demand for professionals who combine technical expertise with cross-cultural communication skills and global awareness, underscoring the role of universities in fostering interdisciplinary talent.
Assistant Manager Yan-Cun Xie from the General Manager’s Office followed with an English-language presentation on Realtek’s AIoT innovations, including a live demonstration of “BenBen,” the company’s robotic dog. The demonstration illustrated how semiconductor technology is applied across the development chain, from chip design to end-device applications, offering students a concrete example of intelligent systems powered by IC design.
Student Questions and Industry Perspectives
During the discussion session, students raised questions reflecting diverse academic perspectives. OPU Fahad Ahmed from the Graduate Institute of International Human Resource Development asked about training and retention strategies for international talent. Salar Mokhtari Laleh, an Electrical Engineering student from Iran, inquired about future trends in semiconductor research and development and the competencies required for R&D roles. Dwi Guban, also from the Graduate Institute of International Human Resource Development, asked about cross-cultural teamwork and internal talent development mechanisms. Bing-Huang Wu from Indonesia, studying Electrical Engineering, raised questions on how sustainability and energy efficiency are incorporated into semiconductor design.
In response, Senior Marketing Manager Mei-Ling Liu from Realtek’s Marketing Division explained that low-power and energy-efficient design principles are integrated into chip development and product planning. She noted that as applications in artificial intelligence, IoT, and automotive systems continue to expand, semiconductor firms increasingly balance performance considerations with environmental responsibility as part of long-term technology strategy.
From Industrial History to Future Collaboration
The visit began earlier in the day at the Hsinchu Science Park Exploration Center, located in one of the park’s earliest industrial zones. The center comprises three main exhibition areas: the Future Pavilion, Industry Pavilion, and Culture Pavilion. These exhibitions trace the park’s development from the 1970s to its current position as a global hub for semiconductors and high-tech innovation. Exhibits covered areas including semiconductors, optoelectronics, ICT, artificial intelligence, and green technologies. The English-guided tour provided historical, industrial, and cultural perspectives on the evolution of Taiwan’s technology sector.
Chung-Yao Lai from Realtek’s Human Resources Department expressed appreciation for the university’s ongoing efforts in STEM education and international recruitment, particularly in technical talent markets such as India. He said the company looks forward to continued collaboration in areas such as internships, recruitment, and talent development.
Expanding Global and Practical Learning
The itinerary, which combined historical context at Hsinchu Science Park with firsthand exposure to corporate operations at Realtek Semiconductor, offered participants a practical perspective on Taiwan’s technology ecosystem. The international students who joined the visit said the experience helped clarify potential professional pathways within the technology sector and deepened their understanding of local corporate culture.
Professor Yi-De Liu, Vice President of International Affairs, noted that the university has been expanding its engineering and technology programs while strengthening connections with leading technology companies in Taiwan. The visit was coordinated with support from Associate Vice President for Research and Development Cheng-Hung Lin of the College of Technology and Engineering. Liu added that similar enterprise visits and industry–university exchanges will continue, with the aim of linking academic training, industry needs, and sustainable development, while supporting international students in building long-term academic and professional foundations in Taiwan.