Strengthening Taiwan–U.S. Collaboration in Semiconductors and International Higher Education

The opening ceremony of NAFSA 2026 was held in Orlando, Florida, bringing together representatives from higher education and international education sectors around the world.

The opening ceremony of the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo was held in Orlando, Florida, bringing together representatives from the global higher education and international education communities. As one of the world’s largest international education conferences, NAFSA attracts universities, government education agencies, research institutions, and international education organizations from more than 100 countries, serving as an important platform for global higher education cooperation and international talent exchange.

Asia University was represented by Vice President Jung-Jie Huang, Associate Dean of International Affairs I-Chi Chen, and Associate Professor Yu-Ming Peng from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering and the Bachelor’s Program in Semiconductor. Their participation highlighted Asia University’s ongoing efforts to advance internationalization and cultivate talent for emerging technology industries.

This year’s NAFSA conference is themed "Global by Design," focusing on new models of collaboration in higher education amid major global trends such as AI, semiconductors, sustainable development, and international talent mobility. With the restructuring of global semiconductor supply chains and the rapid advancement of AI technologies, demand for high-level technology talent continues to rise. As a result, cross-border talent cultivation and industry-academia collaboration have become key topics at this year’s conference.

Asia University noted that Taiwan plays a critical role in the global semiconductor industry, while higher education serves as a crucial foundation for sustaining industrial development. In recent years, the university has actively promoted its Bachelor’s Program in Semiconductor and established distinctive platforms such as the AI Semiconductor Design and Sustainable Manufacturing Research Center. These initiatives aim to build a talent cultivation environment covering semiconductor processing, packaging and testing, smart manufacturing, and AI applications.

Through participation in NAFSA, Asia University seeks not only to expand international student recruitment and academic exchange, but also to strengthen collaboration with universities and research institutions in the United States and around the world. Potential areas of cooperation include dual-degree programs, student exchange, short-term research, industry-academia partnerships, and semiconductor talent development, enabling students to connect with global trends in the technology industry while still on campus.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Education led a delegation of Taiwanese universities to participate in the Study in Taiwan Pavilion, demonstrating the internationalization capacity of Taiwan’s higher education sector.

Asia University representatives take a group photo with Minister of Education Cheng Ying-Yao at the NAFSA exhibition venue. From left: Associate Dean of International Affairs I-Chi Chen, Minister of Education Cheng Ying-Yao, Asia University Vice President Jung-Jie Huang, and Associate Professor Yu-Ming Peng.

The Study in Taiwan Pavilion, organized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, brought together a number of Taiwanese universities to showcase Taiwan’s strengths in higher education, technological research, and industry-academia collaboration. Against the backdrop of rapid development in the global semiconductor and AI industries, Taiwan’s higher education sector is actively using international platforms to strengthen talent development, enhance cross-border cooperation, and increase global visibility.

Asia University stated that, in response to the growing global demand for advanced semiconductor talent, it will continue to deepen its teaching model that integrates theory and practice, while strengthening connections with industry and international academic institutions. The university aims to cultivate a new generation of technology professionals equipped with global perspectives and interdisciplinary capabilities.

In recent years, Asia University has continued to enhance its teaching and research capacity in semiconductor processing, packaging and testing, smart manufacturing, and AI applications. By integrating industry-academia collaboration, hands-on equipment training, and international exchange opportunities, the university is building a practical and globally connected talent cultivation environment. In particular, in the fields of semiconductor packaging and testing, Asia University is actively developing a distinctive teaching model that combines production-line practice, industry collaboration, and international exchange, responding to global trends in semiconductor supply chains and high-tech industries.

During the conference, Asia University representatives also exchanged views with a number of international schools and education organizations on topics including student exchange, dual-degree programs, international research collaboration, and semiconductor talent development. Asia University noted that participation in international higher education platforms such as NAFSA enables the university to stay informed about global higher education trends, expand its network of overseas institutional partners, and provide students with broader international learning opportunities.

In addition, the Asia University delegation met with Chou Chi-Yu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami, and Rafael Pineyro, Executive Director of San Ignacio University in Florida, to discuss future directions for Taiwan–U.S. higher education cooperation, international student exchange, and semiconductor talent cultivation.

Asia University stated that it will continue to integrate Taiwan’s semiconductor industry strengths, AI technology development, and international higher education resources to deepen cooperation with overseas universities and research institutions. The university aims to build a globally competitive semiconductor talent cultivation platform and enhance the visibility of Taiwan’s higher education on the world stage.

Facing rapid global changes in technology and industry, Asia University emphasized that it will continue to advance its internationalization strategy, expand cross-border partnerships and industry-academia collaboration, and cultivate a new generation of professionals with technological expertise, practical skills, and international vision, contributing greater innovation to the global semiconductor and AI industries.

Asia University exchanged views with representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami and U.S. institutions on future directions for Taiwan–U.S. higher education and talent collaboration.