As the world ushers in the era of semiconductor chips, the Vietnamese government has designated 18 top Vietnamese universities to prepare and offer courses related to chip design and semiconductor. On July 16th, a delegation from Vietnam's Can Tho University (CTU) visited National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), with the purpose in exchanging ideas and experiences in the talent cultivation in semiconductor area. Accompanying was a delegation of Chen-Yung Memorial Foundation Inc. in Vietnam, led by CEO Mr. Wen-Chu Hsien, with their core value of enhancing exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and Vietnam.

 
Delegation from Can Tho University (CTU), Vietnam, visited National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), with the purpose of exchanging ideas in cultivating semiconductor talents

　 Chair Professor Sun-Yuan Hsieh, NCKU's Vice President for International Affairs, pointed out that NCKU has a long-standing relationship with Vietnam, and has signed academic agreements with 14 prestigious Vietnam universities, collaborating in multiple fields and forms. For the past 5 years alone, NCKU has already had 385 co-authored publications with Vietnamese institutions and attracted nearly 1,000 Vietnamese students for degree study and exchange. CTU is not only one of the 16 core universities in Vietnam, but also an outstanding member of the ASEAN university network. The Chen-Yung Memorial Foundation, Inc. (VN) also has a special bond with NCKU, and has sponsored 14 Vietnamese students through the NCKU-Butterfly Program. Through this meeting, NCKU hopes to promote more academic exchanges between the two universities, and thereby benefit both countries.　

  Rector Trung-Tinh Tran of CTU mentioned in his remarks that, located in the Mekong Delta, CTU has long been known for having the most advanced agricultural research institute in Vietnam. The purposes of visiting NCKU are not only to implement academic exchanges in the fields of IC design, semiconductors and AI, but also to take a leaf out of NCKU's book in biomedicine and healthcare expertise, as CTU is soon going to re-establish its own College of Medicine too. Dr. Van-Lam Le, CTU's Director of International Relations Department, mentioned that CTU is a multidisciplinary university established in 1966 with 16 colleges and 15 research centers and institutes. In addition to its key role in research and education, it has also been a transmitter of knowledge and technology in Vietnam.

  Associate Professor Chia-Hsiang Lin, Director of International Relations Division, gave an overview of NCKU's highlights of academic research, as well as the academia-industry-government cooperation achievements with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute (TSRI), NCKU Hospital and leaders in various fields. Chair Professor Emeritus Yan-Kuin Su, Dean of Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM), provided an overview of AISSM's attributes and capabilities, highlighting its five main degree programs, extensive industry resources, and business partnerships. With Vietnam being the third-largest place of origin for AISSM's international students, Dean Su expressed his expectation of seeing increased collaboration and exchanges between two countries.
 

 
NCKU's Vice President for International Affairs, Chair Professor Sun-Yuan Hsieh, NCKU’s Vice President for International Affairs  (right), with CTU Rector Dr. Trung-Tinh Tran (left), Rector of CTU

　　Representatives from the two universities also actively discussed about potential cooperation models, including faculty mobility, student exchange, dual-degree program, and corporate internships. NCKU representatives in the meeting also included Distinguished Prof.Professor Wei-Chou Hsu, Associate Dean of AISSM, Prof.Professor Wei-Chih Lai, Chair, Department of Photonics, and Prof.Professor Chun Hei Antonio Cheung, Director of Overseas Students and Scholars Services Division.