The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) has entered into a collaboration with a Taiwanese university and an industry partner to strengthen cooperation between India and Taiwan in the semiconductor sector. The initiative focuses on joint research, academic exchange programmes, and industry-academia partnerships in areas such as integrated circuit (IC) design, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced wireless technologies.
The collaboration was reinforced during a visit to the IIT Gandhinagar campus on 13 and 14 January by Prof Li-Chun Wang of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) and Mr Ming-Jer Chen, CEO of Ampak Technology Inc.. Ampak Technology has more than two decades of experience in wireless module research and development, design, production, marketing, and technology integration services.
During the visit, discussions were held on possible areas of collaboration involving IIT Gandhinagar, NYCU, and Ampak Technology. These included academic exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, and industry-academia partnerships. According to the institutions, such engagements are expected to provide students with hands-on exposure, encourage cross-disciplinary skill development, and support long-term cooperation between India and Taiwan.
Prof Li-Chun Wang and Mr Ming-Jer Chen interacted with students and faculty members to explore opportunities in semiconductor research and education. Speaking on the broader context of the semiconductor sector, Prof Li-Chun Wang, Distinguished Chair Professor and Dean of the College of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NYCU, said, “Geographically and geopolitically, semiconductors have become extremely important, and the industry must seriously consider supply-chain resilience. Long-term cooperation is essential, especially given geopolitical risks.”
On India-Taiwan collaboration, he said, “Semiconductor collaboration between India and Taiwan can be highly comprehensive and should span AI, systems design, and manufacturing together, a process of co-evolution and deep collaboration. Capital investment alone is not enough; investment in people and the academic ecosystem is the real foundation of the semiconductor mission.” He also noted that Taiwan’s strengths in manufacturing, system integration, and reliability testing could complement India’s capabilities in chip design and computational sciences.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof Rajat Moona, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, said the institute was committed to expanding international research partnerships in advanced technologies. He said the collaboration would support student training and research as Gujarat develops as a hub for semiconductor research and manufacturing.
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Mr Ming-Jer Chen engaged extensively with students, discussing career and research opportunities at Ampak Technology and outlining the company’s work in IC design, manufacturing, and advanced packaging. He said, “I am quite impressed with the students’ skills, research projects, and the quality of the labs. The talent here, combined with their hands-on approach, shows great potential for collaboration.”
As part of the visit, students and faculty members presented ongoing research projects, followed by detailed discussions with the visiting delegation. The presentations covered areas including IC design technology, semiconductor materials, battery technology, quantum computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and wearable electronics.
Prof Li-Chun Wang also commented on the quality of education and design thinking at IIT Gandhinagar, highlighting the importance of practical exposure and interdisciplinary learning. He said, “Collaboration should focus on cross-disciplinary integration. Students need exposure not only to IC design but also to system-level and manufacturing challenges. Exposure to real manufacturing environments, especially in Taiwan, can help reduce design risks and improve outcomes.” Reflecting on his interactions with students, he added, “During the interaction with the students here, I observed that students at IIT Gandhinagar have a strong foundation and a high level of curiosity, reflecting their proactiveness. They possess the skills to articulate ideas clearly, which is essential for cross-disciplinary integration. I am impressed by their talent, and this is exactly what is needed for next generation semiconductor researchers and engineers.”
He further highlighted that trust, long-term partnerships, and initiatives such as joint research, PhD co-supervision, and faculty engagement could help build cross-disciplinary talent, adding that strong India–Taiwan academic collaboration could serve as a global model.
As part of the academic engagement, Prof Li-Chun Wang delivered an address to IIT Gandhinagar students on academic and research opportunities at NYCU, focusing on emerging trends and global prospects in semiconductor and AI technologies. Mr Ming-Jer Chen also noted that some students had begun their studies in Taiwan, while members of Ampak’s team could work and study at the IIT Gandhinagar campus, supporting research in AI and Internet of Things technologies.
Commenting on future plans, Prof Bhaskar Datta, Dean of Academics at IIT Gandhinagar, said, “We eagerly look forward to the inception of joint academic programs with NYCU Taiwan, which will be of immense benefit to our undergraduates and postgraduates.”
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