The partnership was formalized through reciprocal visits between the two institutions. In February, Taipei Tech President Dr. Sea-Fue Wang led a delegation to meet with AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li in Bangkok. The following month, Prof. Li visited Taipei Tech, where both parties officially agreed to launch the new program. Jointly led by Taipei Tech's Innovation Frontier Institute of Research for Science and Technology (iFirst) and AIT's School of Engineering and Technology (SET), the initiative marks a new chapter in semiconductor higher education cooperation.
Speaking about the new partnership, AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li said: "Over the decades, AIT has trained top engineers from Taiwan, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia. This new collaboration reflects our commitment to transformative engineering and supports Taiwan's New Southbound Policy—enabling joint talent development in semiconductors, AI, and beyond to help drive sustainable prosperity across Asia."
The partnership with Taipei Tech aligns with Prof. Li's broader "transformative engineering" initiative, introduced at the beginning of his presidency. Through international academic collaborations, the initiative seeks to boost talent development in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies to support Asia's long-term economic and technological growth.
Taipei Tech President Dr. Wang emphasized the shared mission of both institutions to cultivate engineering talent with global impact. He expressed confidence that the dual-degree program will not only strengthen semiconductor education and research but also contribute to the advancement of strategic technologies. Dr. Wang also noted his interest in expanding collaboration to include areas such as artificial intelligence, EMBA programs, and other innovation-driven academic fields.
Taipei Tech, a practice-oriented research university, has partnered with top institutions like MIT, Penn State, and Tohoku University for student exchanges and joint research. It also leads in industry-academia collaboration, especially in semiconductors, and was the first in Taiwan to launch a master's program in semiconductor technology.
AIT is a leading international postgraduate institute focused on engineering, environment, and management studies. With strong ties across Asia, it works closely with global partners to drive innovation and sustainable development. This new alliance adds to AIT's growing efforts to nurture talent and support emerging technologies in the region.
Source: Asian Institute of Technology
