image: Participants gather for a commemorative photo following the signing ceremony between Okayama University of Science (OUS) and Minghsin University of Science and Technology (MUST) on October 23 at OUS, Japan. The agreement establishes a double degree program aimed at fostering global talent in semiconductor engineering.
Credit: Okayama University of Science (OUS).
Aiming to strengthen collaboration in education—particularly in the field of semiconductors—Okayama University of Science (OUS) and Minghsin University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Taiwan signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on October 23 to launch a double degree program that enables students to earn bachelor’s degrees from both universities.
OUS first signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MUST (then Ming Hsin Engineering College) in 1984. After more than 40 years, the MOU was renewed last September between Kake Educational Institution (KEI), the administrative umbrella under which OUS is affiliated, and MUST. The new MOU builds on this long-standing partnership and aims to further deepen cooperation between the two universities.
The signing ceremony was held at the KEI 50th Anniversary Memorial Building on the Okayama campus. Among those in attendance were Mamoru Kake, General President of KEI; Hiroyuki Hirano, President of OUS; Yoshiko Minami, Vice President of OUS; Ming-Feng Lu, President of MUST; and Kou-Bing Kao, CEO of the Japan Project Office at MUST.
During the ceremony, Professor Nobuyuki Kasa from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at OUS, outlined the project:
“MUST established the world’s first Semiconductors School, offering hands-on education through training facilities equipped with state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. Its graduates have gone on to work for major semiconductor companies in Taiwan and around the world. Under the Double Degree Program, students will first enroll at OUS, where they study semiconductor fundamentals and acquire the language skills necessary for study abroad, and then continue their studies at MUST. Upon completion, they will earn bachelor’s degrees from both universities and are expected to become highly skilled professionals contributing to the semiconductor industries in both Taiwan and Okayama Prefecture.”
OUS President Hirano then remarked:
“Our goal is to cultivate global talent equipped with world-class expertise and technology. Through this MOA, we aim to promote cross-border collaboration among industry, academia, and government in Okayama and Taiwan, ultimately positioning Okayama as an international hub for the semiconductor industry. In addition to fostering human resources, we also seek to strengthen research collaboration between our universities and establish a world-leading center for semiconductor innovation.”
MUST President Lu expressed strong expectations for the collaboration:
“Taiwan is one of the global leaders in semiconductor manufacturing. While many universities in Taiwan are facing declining enrollments due to the low birth rate, MUST continues to grow —thanks to its strength in semiconductor education. We look forward to working with OUS to nurture outstanding professionals in this field. Whether your students pursue careers in Taiwan or Japan, I’m confident they will find rewarding opportunities.”
Following the signing, General President Kake concluded:
“We hope to create a joint base for human resource development where our institutions can collaborate not only through academic exchange but also through joint lectures and practical training, involving local governments as well. We would also be delighted if this collaboration encourages semiconductor companies to establish plants or offices in Okayama, contributing to the region’s growth.”
Representatives from semiconductor companies based in the “Hsinchu Science Park,” often referred to as Taiwan’s Silicon Valley, as well as officials from the Okayama Prefectural Government, the Okayama Prefectural Industrial Promotion Foundation, and members of the Okayama Semiconductor Consortium attended the ceremony, demonstrating strong interest in the future of semiconductor talent development.
A reception followed in the lounge of Building A1 at OUS, where participants from Japanese and Taiwanese companies exchanged business cards and engaged in friendly networking.
Located adjacent to the Hsinchu Science Park, MUST established Taiwan’s first Semiconductors School in 2021. The university offers advanced education in semiconductor manufacturing processes and has produced numerous graduates who now work for leading global companies, including TSMC.