MinerAlert
MinerAlert
Four students from The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) College of Engineering recently participated in the 2025 NCKU AISSM Semiconductor Summer School in Tainan, Taiwan, an intensive program designed to promote international collaboration and hands-on learning in semiconductor technology. The summer school was hosted by the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM) at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) from July 23 to August 2, 2025.
The program featured three specialized tracks: Digital IC Design and Synthesis, Analog IC Design and Layout and Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing and Packaging Testing. The participating UTEP students represented both mechanical, and electrical and computer engineering disciplines.
Tenzin Lhaden, Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering, and Daniela Gracia, MS student in Mechanical Engineering, completed a course that covered semiconductor fabrication, nanophotonics, 3D heterogeneous integration packaging trends, photolithography, numerical simulation in IC design, and challenges surrounding next-generation 3nm nodes. Emily I. Ocon, MS student in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Leonardo F. Gonzales, BS student in Electrical and Computer Engineering, completed the course on Analog IC Design and Layout, gaining hands-on experience with analog IC design, operational amplifier architectures, VLSI and chip design, CMOS circuit theory, and HSPICE programming and simulation. The program combined academic instruction with industry exposure.
Students attended lectures and lab sessions on the NCKU campus and at the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute (TSRI) cleanroom. Visits to the TSMC Museum of Innovation and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) provided insight into Taiwan’s role as a global semiconductor hub and demonstrated how academic research and industry practices are closely linked.
In addition to technical training, the program included cultural immersion, with students exploring Taiwan’s landmarks and traditions, guided by NCKU student mentors.
Kenith Meissner, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Engineering, highlighted the importance of such programs for UTEP students: "Opportunities like the NCKU AISSM Semiconductor Summer School give our students hands-on experience in one of the world’s fastest-moving industries. We are proud to see our students represent UTEP globally while gaining the skills and perspective needed to lead in engineering and innovation."
Bill Tseng, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering and UTEP’s representative for the program, added: "UTEP’s participation in AISSM’s summer school shows our commitment to preparing students for global challenges. It is exciting to see our students apply their knowledge in a real-world context while building international collaborations that will benefit their careers and the industry at large."
The 2025 NCKU AISSM Semiconductor Summer School provided UTEP students with advanced technical knowledge, international industry exposure, and cross-cultural experience. Through programs like this, the College of Engineering continues to expand global opportunities, preparing students to compete and collaborate on an international stage.