Japanese High School and Technical College Students Explore Semiconductor Technology at YunTech
A semiconductor chip connects far more than technology—from materials and manufacturing processes to applications in everyday life. Behind each chip lies an entire ecosystem of industry, education, and talent development. For many young students from Japan, semiconductors may have once been little more than a technical term encountered in the classroom. This summer, however, they stepped onto the campus of National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (YunTech), visited semiconductor research institutions and technology companies, and gained firsthand insights into Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, higher education system, and social environment.
During the 2026 summer vacation, YunTech organized the “Japanese Semiconductor Talent Development Summer Camp,” inviting young students from Japan to Taiwan in two sessions, each lasting six days. The first session was primarily designed for Japanese high school students, while the second focused on students from Japanese colleges of technology, known as Kosen. The program combined professional courses, hands-on engineering activities, visits to industry and research institutions, and cultural experiences in Taiwan. Tailored to the students’ respective educational stages, the program provided diverse opportunities for semiconductor talent development and overseas learning.
Both sessions included visits to the TSMC Innovation Museum and the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Center (TSRI), where students also toured a TSRI cleanroom to learn about Taiwan’s role in the global semiconductor industry. Stepping into an actual cleanroom transformed semiconductor concepts that had previously remained in the classroom into a tangible learning experience. Students also gained an appreciation of the stringent requirements for environmental control, equipment, and professional expertise in semiconductor research and manufacturing.
In addition to industry visits, students participated in courses and hands-on activities at YunTech, including sessions related to mechanical engineering and industrial engineering and management. Through practical exercises, teamwork, and interactive learning, they experienced Taiwan’s emphasis on practical application in higher education. Activities included programming, drone operation, and engineering projects. Team-based tasks such as bridge-building gave students opportunities to develop communication and collaboration skills within a short period of time. The second session also included a visit to the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), where students learned about Taiwan’s technological research and development and its approach to industrial innovation.
Although the two groups were at different stages of education, both had opportunities to experience everyday life in Taiwan alongside their technology-focused learning. The program included visits to the Hsinchu City God Temple Night Market, Douliu Night Market, and Lukang, where students explored traditional beliefs, historic local neighborhoods, and local cuisine. During the day, they learned about semiconductor technology; in the evening, they explored Taiwanese night markets. The combination of technology and culture allowed students to gain a broader understanding of Taiwan from different perspectives.
Professional courses, engineering activities, and industry visits were among the major highlights of the program. Some students said that living with fellow Japanese participants, discussing ideas, and completing learning tasks together were among their most memorable experiences. Others found the hands-on courses related to semiconductors and control systems particularly engaging. Visits to the TSMC Innovation Museum and related industry sites also helped students gain a more concrete understanding of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and technological capabilities.
Teamwork was another memorable aspect of the program. One student noted that working with Japanese participants they had only recently met to complete a bridge-building project provided a valuable opportunity to communicate, divide responsibilities, and accomplish a shared task within a limited time. These reflections demonstrate that the summer camp provided not only opportunities to learn about semiconductors and engineering but also valuable experience in teamwork and international learning.
YunTech President Professor Chuan-Yu Chang noted that semiconductors have become a core component of global technological development, but even the most advanced technologies depend on people to create them, and major innovations ultimately come from talented individuals. Education, therefore, should go beyond imparting professional knowledge to cultivate a new generation equipped with professional expertise, innovative thinking, global perspectives, and a sense of social responsibility. Japan’s colleges of technology place strong emphasis on integrating theory and practice, which aligns with YunTech’s educational philosophy of “practicality and application.” This shared educational approach makes the program a valuable platform connecting education, industry, and talent development.
YunTech Vice President for International Affairs Hui-Ching Yeh noted that Japanese students currently studying at YunTech have adapted well to both their academic studies and campus life. Many come to Taiwan with clear and strong learning goals, seeking to continuously develop their abilities through professional courses and practical training as they work toward becoming skilled engineers. The summer camp also gave Japanese young people an opportunity to experience Taiwan’s higher education and semiconductor industry environments firsthand while learning more about YunTech’s strengths in engineering education and practice-oriented teaching.
The second session also welcomed Principal Shuichi Ishimura and teacher Takihiro Kajio from Kumamoto Prefectural Uto High School. Speaking about semiconductor talent development, Principal Ishimura noted that the establishment of TSMC operations in Kumamoto has increased local interest in semiconductors among universities and high schools, while the prefecture has also continued to develop initiatives for science talent cultivation. Uto High School is designated as a Super Science High School (SSH) by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and has an established foundation in science education and talent development.
During the program, Uto High School and YunTech signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking the beginning of future collaboration between the two institutions. The two schools hope to develop further cooperative initiatives in education and talent development. Principal Ishimura also expressed his appreciation to YunTech President Professor Chuan-Yu Chang and the organizing team for arranging the program and providing students with a valuable and enriching learning experience.
YunTech stated that, amid the continued development of the global semiconductor industry, talent development and international educational collaboration have become increasingly important. Building on the MOU signed with Uto High School, the University will continue to organize international talent development programs. Through these initiatives, Japanese young people will have opportunities to learn about Taiwan’s semiconductor capabilities as well as its higher education system, industrial environment, and local culture. Through courses, hands-on activities, and site visits, students will also be encouraged to broaden their perspectives on future educational and career opportunities.
国立雲林科技大学「2026半導体日本人材育成サマーキャンプ」を開催
日本の高校生・高専生が雲科大で半導体技術を探究
一つの半導体チップは、材料や製造工程から日常生活における応用まで、単なる技術だけではなく、産業、教育、人材育成に関わるさまざまな要素によって支えられている。日本の若者にとって、半導体はこれまで授業で学ぶ専門用語の一つだったかもしれない。今年の夏、日本の学生たちは雲科大のキャンパスや半導体研究機関、テクノロジー産業の現場を訪れ、台湾の半導体産業、高等教育及び社会環境について実際に学んだ。
国立雲林科技大学は2026年夏、「半導体日本人材育成サマーキャンプ」を開催し、2つのグループに分かれて日本の若者を台湾に招いた。各グループは6日間の日程で、第1グループは日本の高校生を中心に、第2グループは日本の高等専門学校（高専）の学生を中心に実施した。プログラムには、専門講座、エンジニアリング実習、産業・研究機関の見学、台湾文化体験などを取り入れ、学生それぞれの学習段階に応じて、多様な半導体人材育成と海外研修の機会を提供した。
両グループでは、TSMC創新館及び台湾半導体研究センター（TSRI）を訪問し、TSRIのクリーンルームも見学した。台湾が世界の半導体産業において果たしている役割について学ぶとともに、実際にクリーンルームに足を踏み入れることで、教室で学んでいた半導体に関する知識を具体的な学習体験へとつなげた。また、半導体の研究・製造において求められる環境管理、設備及び専門的な能力の重要性についても理解を深めた。
産業見学に加え、学生たちは雲科大のキャンパスで、機械工学系、工業工学及びマネジメント学科などの関連講座や実習にも参加した。実際に手を動かし、グループで協力しながら学ぶことで、実践と応用を重視する台湾の大学教育の特色を体験した。プログラムでは、プログラミング、ドローン操作、エンジニアリング実習などにも取り組み、橋梁製作などのチーム課題を通して、短時間のうちにコミュニケーションを取り、役割分担を行う経験を得た。第2回サマーキャンプでは、工業技術研究院（ITRI）の見学も行い、台湾の技術研究開発及び産業イノベーションの発展について理解を深めた。
両グループは学習段階こそ異なるものの、テクノロジーに関する学習だけでなく、台湾の日常生活にも触れた。新竹城隍廟夜市、斗六夜市、鹿港などを訪れ、伝統的な信仰、地域の街並み、現地の食文化について学んだ。昼間には半導体技術を学び、夜には夜市を散策するなど、一つの旅程の中でテクノロジーと文化を体験し、さまざまな角度から台湾について理解を深めた。
授業、エンジニアリング実習、産業見学は、学生たちにとって今回の研修における主な学びとなった。学生からは、日本から参加した他の学生たちと共同生活を送り、話し合いながら学習課題に取り組んだことが印象に残ったという声が寄せられた。また、半導体や制御に関する体験型授業が非常に興味深かったという声もあった。TSMCイノベーションミュージアムや関連する産業現場の見学を通して、台湾の半導体産業の発展と技術力について、より具体的に理解する機会となった。チーム活動については、知り合ったばかりの日本人参加者と橋梁製作に取り組み、短い時間の中でコミュニケーションを取り、役割分担をしながら課題を完成させたことが貴重な学習経験になったという声もあった。これらの学生の声からも、今回のサマーキャンプが半導体に関する知識やエンジニアリング実習だけでなく、チームワークや海外研修の経験を積む機会となったことがうかがえる。
国立雲林科技大学の張傳育学長は、半導体は世界のテクノロジー発展の中核となっているが、どれほど先進的な技術であっても、それを創り出すのは人材であり、偉大なイノベーションもまた人材から生まれると述べた。そのため、教育は専門知識を伝えるだけではなく、専門能力、革新的な思考、国際的な視野、社会的責任を備えた次世代の人材を育成することが重要だと強調した。日本の高等専門学校が理論と実践の両方を重視していることは、雲科大が掲げる「実学を重視し、実践に活かす」という教育理念とも共通しており、今回の活動は教育、産業、人材育成をつなぐ重要なプラットフォームとなった。
国立雲林科技大学国際事務処の葉惠菁国際長は、現在、雲科大で学ぶ日本人学生は、学業及びキャンパス生活の両面において良好に適応しており、多くの学生が明確かつ強い学習意欲を持って台湾に留学していると述べた。学生たちは、専門講座や実践的なトレーニングを通して継続的に能力を高め、将来優れたエンジニアになることを目指している。今回のサマーキャンプでは、日本の若者が台湾の高等教育及び半導体産業の環境を実際に体験するとともに、雲科大のエンジニアリング教育と実践重視の教育の特色について理解を深める機会となった。
第2回サマーキャンプには、熊本県立宇土高等学校の石村秀一校長と梶尾滝宏教諭も参加した。半導体人材育成について、石村校長は、近年、熊本県ではTSMCの進出を契機として、大学や高校において半導体分野への関心が高まっており、県内でも科学人材育成に向けた取り組みが進められていると述べた。宇土高等学校は、日本の文部科学省から指定を受けているSSH（Super Science High School）校であり、科学教育及び人材育成における基盤を有している。今回、宇土高等学校と雲科大が協定書（MOU）を締結したことを契機として、今後、両校の連携をさらに深め、教育及び人材育成などの分野でより多くの共同事業を推進していくことが期待される。石村校長はまた、国立雲林科技大学の張傳育学長をはじめ、関係者の皆様が今回の活動を企画し、学生たちに充実した学習経験を提供してくださったことに感謝の意を表した。
国立雲林科技大学は、世界の半導体産業が発展を続ける中、人材育成及び国際的な教育協力は重要な課題であるとし、今後も今回、宇土高等学校と締結した協定書（MOU）を基盤として、国際人材育成活動を継続的に実施していく。日本の若者が台湾で半導体産業の技術力を知るだけでなく、台湾の高等教育、産業環境及び地域文化についても理解を深め、講座、実習、見学を通して、今後の学習やキャリア形成に向けた新たな可能性を広げていくことを目指している。
Taiwanese and Japanese students and faculty gather at the summer camp opening ceremony, officially beginning a journey of semiconductor talent development and youth exchange.
Japanese students explore the development of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry through interactive exhibits at the TSMC Innovation Museum, gaining insights into the international competitiveness of Taiwan’s technology sector through real-world applications.
Japanese technical college students visit the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), gaining insights into the development of Taiwan’s technological innovation from a research and development perspective.
Japanese students visit a cleanroom firsthand, gaining an appreciation of the precision and stringent requirements of semiconductor manufacturing through its environmental controls and equipment.
Taiwanese and Japanese students work together on team challenges, developing collaboration and problem-solving skills through discussion, task delegation, and repeated attempts.
Organizer: Office of International Affairs
Director: Hui-Ching Yeh
Contact Person: Ming-Chun Chang
Telephone: +886-5-534-2601 ext. 2393
※The above is an AI-generated translation and may not be 100% accurate. For reference only — please double-check any important details.