Saxon students conquer Taiwan: semiconductor adventure in the Far East!

Saxon students conquer Taiwan: semiconductor adventure in the Far East!

An exciting adventure for students who could hardly be more exciting! With its Semiconductor Talent Incubation Program (STIP), the Free State of Saxony managed to beat a bridge between theory and practice in the booming semiconductor industry. Currently there are 30 Saxon students in Taiwan, where they not only study, but also have the opportunity to gain exciting insights into the world of TSMC. Josef Goldberger, who advertises the program on site, recently met some of these young talents - including Harald Waje, Jakob Kretzschmar and Alexander Klimmek - and took them to a café to chat about their experiences and to gain an insight into Taiwanese culture.

Harald Waje, who studies physics at the TU Dresden, Jakob Kretzschmar, who studies business informatics at HTW Dresden, and Alexander Klimmek, who completed a dual degree at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, all have traveled to Taiwan to explore new perspectives in an industry that is affected by a violent shortage of skilled workers. TSMC, as a leading company in semiconductor production, plans to build new factories in Taiwan, which further increases the demand for qualified staff.

insights into your studies and life in Taiwan

In the first phase of the program, which runs until August 2025, the students have the opportunity to study at the National Taiwan University TSMC half-ledge modules and to test themselves in July and August in the newcomer training center & fab from TSMC. Up to 30 ECTS points can be developed. Even if the students have to report reluctantly about their internship experiences at TSMC - strict silence contracts restrict their information - they are still enthusiastic about the newly gained perspective.

The different study systems in Taiwan represent a small challenge. There are more homework and fewer events, but also the opportunity to explore the country very actively. The historicity, the mountains and the wide range of leisure activities such as hiking, cycling and surfing attract the students. The culinary highlights, especially the famous night markets with their street food, also make school hearts beat faster.

an important program for the future

Josef Goldberger also highlights the security situation in Taiwan. Citizens feel safe here, so that personal objects can often be left unattended. He also mentions the civil -friendly administration, which enables many authorities digitally and conveniently in English. One aspect that many students would miss at home.

But why is all so important? The semiconductor industry plays a crucial role in the digital and green transformation, as describes the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection [bmwk.de] (https://www.bmwk.de/redaktion/de/schlichter-der-wirtschaftspolitik/2024/10/05-haltreis industrie.html). Semiconductors are not only the basis of modern communication technologies, they are also crucial for precise medical technology and contribute to climate protection. Although the European market share of global semiconductor production fell from 21% in 2000 to around 8%, there are significant initiatives to strengthen this industry.

The STIP program is therefore not just an educational offer; It is a strategic step to look around in international competition and to expand your own competence in a future market. The next few years will show how many of these students make the leap into the semiconductor industry and what impulses they will bring to Saxony.