The SEMI High Tech U learning program commenced April 20-22 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Co-hosted by SEMI, KLA-Tencor Taiwan, and National Tsing Hua University, the three-day event offered 40 high school students an in-depth interactive learning experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Since SEMI High Tech U began in 2001, it has hosted 190 career exploration programs in eight different countries with over 6,000 high school students attending. The High Tech U programs have received a tremendous response globally.

This year, Taiwan was a host country for the first time. Terry Tsao, president of SEMI Taiwan, said, “The goal of High Tech U is to help young people gain knowledge and develop interests in STEM before choosing their future academic pursuit. Not only did Taiwanese high school students have the opportunity to attend this international STEM immersion program, but they also interacted with industry volunteers who serve in the high-tech industry.” Through group activities and firsthand experience, students thoroughly explored technology, adding to their ability to understand their future career directions.

“In the U.S., KLA-Tencor has collaborated with SEMI to hold seven SEMI HTU (High Tech U) programs. The first-ever Taiwan course design, instructor training, and the local operations planning, were tailored to inspire Taiwanese students to have better understanding of their direction and passion towards the semiconductor industry and their future goals,” said Tom Wang, CEO of KLA-Tencor Corporation Taiwan. Many employees at KLA-Tencor Taiwan volunteered to be course instructors and advisors to share their professional experience at SEMI High Tech U. In addition to providing guided tours at KLA-Tencor’s learning and training center cleanroom, the volunteers also held mock interviews with the students.

Nyan-Hwa Tai, dean of Academic Affairs at National Tsing Hua University, said “Courses at SEMI High Tech U are designed to gain practical experience through a non-conventional approach, which coincides with the values of innovative exploration at National Tsing Hua University.”

In three days, the students did practical exercises, learning individually and in groups. Tsao pointed out that “During the three-day program, students demonstrated a high level of enthusiasm, confidence, creativity, and team spirit, which is commendable. This event is just the beginning; SEMI will strive to expand the High Tech U program in Taiwan and allow more students to have the opportunity to participate.”

Learn more about the SEMI Foundation and High Tech U here: www.semi.org/en/semi-foundation. For more information about SEMI, visit www.semi.org and follow SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter.