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For thirty years, the TSMC company has been a leader in the global rankings of semiconductor technology and chip manufacturers. Currently, they are building a new semiconductor lab in Dresden. The University of West Bohemia in Pilsen aims to become part of a broader consortium involved in European research and development in the neighboring country.

"TSMC is a very well-known company among firms in the Czech Republic. The government plans to support universities financially, aligning with its strategy for semiconductors, chips, and modern energy. This initiative is expected to begin next year, and we believe it will help us better prepare students specializing in semiconductors, potentially leading to the establishment of a dedicated study program in the future," said UWB Rector Miroslav Lávička to the visiting delegation. He also added that one of the visions includes establishing a double-degree program in collaboration with the Technical University of Dresden, which will have its new development center for chips and semiconductors practically just around the corner.

UWB hosted the Director of University Programs Marvin M. F. Chang and the Talent Incubation Project Manager Kai Yang from TSMC, accompanied by the Director of the Division for Science and Technology from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Ting-Fu Hong. "We mainly collaborate with universities on semiconductor talent incubation and research development, but we also offer programs for talented students and staff, providing internships in various TSMC departments. Currently, we are expanding our footprint in Europe, and we would be delighted if cooperation with UWB became one of the points on our partner map," said Kai Yang, TSMC’s Project manager for Talent Incubation.

UWB currently has partnerships with 13 institutions in Taiwan, mostly involving research projects and student exchanges. Last year alone, 14 international students from Taiwan came to UWB. Conversely, the number of Czech students traveling to Taiwan has been lower, with only two students going last year. This new collaboration aims to change that. Next semester, four UWB students are scheduled to travel to Taiwan. Currently, seven Taiwanese students are studying at UWB

At UWB, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEL) focuses on semiconductor technologies. The New Technologies - Research Centre (NTC) in cooperation with the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAV) work together on the development of new semiconductor materials for sustainable technologies. Research partnerships with institutions in Taiwan also involve the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art (FDU). Among those who have travelled to Taiwan in recent years were Arnošt Marks from FEL and FDU and FEL Vice Dean Jan Michalík, who also participated in meetings with TSMC.

In recent weeks, the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen signed a memorandum of cooperation in the semiconductor field with the Brno University of Technology, the Czech Technical University in Prague, and the Pilsen Region. Thanks to UWB, the Pilsen Region has recently become part of the Association of Semiconductor Regions within the European Union. The EU recognizes the need to strengthen self-sufficiency in chip production for the European market. The production gaps were particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when Asian factories were shut down for extended periods, leaving European manufacturing businesses, especially in the automotive sector, short of chips.