The Taiwan-Malaysia Semiconductor Forum 2024, themed Working Together Toward a Brighter Tomorrow, took place on 10 July 2024 at the Connexion Conference & Event Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The event brought together over 170 participants, including 31 students from UTAR, to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two economies in the semiconductor industry.

The event was a joint endeavour led by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in collaboration with Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and UTAR. The event also received support from the Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology (CHST) at UTAR and the student chapter of the Engineering in Medicine and Biology (EMB).

The forum commenced with opening remarks by Prof Dr Chen-Yi Lee, Committee Chairman and Vice President of NYCU, who emphasised the importance of international cooperation in advancing semiconductor technology. Following this, UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, the co-host, delivered an inspiring opening speech and participated in a ceremonial souvenir exchange with NYCU President Prof Dr Chi-Hung Lin, symbolising the strengthening ties between the two institutions.

Among the attendees were Dr Ho Lin, Head of the S&T Division TECO in Australia; Datuk Ts Dr Mohd Nor Azman Hassan, Deputy Secretary General (Technology Development) of MOSTI, and delegates from other universities. The keynote speech was delivered by Dato’ Pua Khein-Seng, Founder and CEO of Phison, who discussed the ecosystem of chip design in Malaysia and shared his inspiring story of starting a chip design business with minimal capital.

A forum session focused on the “Semiconductor Industry of Taiwan and Malaysia” provided a platform for experts and stakeholders to discuss current trends, future advancements, and academic collaboration opportunities. In the afternoon, speakers from the industry and university shared insights into the latest technologies in chip design, particularly the fabrication of chips in 3D structures and the integration of AI into chip designs. The development of neuromorphic chip design and fabrication was also highlighted, showcasing the forefront of semiconductor innovation.

Assoc Prof Ir Dr Chee Pei Song, Chairperson of the Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology, was also invited to deliver a talk titled “Roadmap for flexible electronics: From energy-hungry to self-powered”, discussing the integration of chips into flexible electronics and achieving self-powered mechanisms using WiFi charging, triboelectric, and electroactive polymer approaches. The forum concluded at 5:00 pm, followed by a dinner where participants had the opportunity to network and discuss potential collaborations.

The event successfully fostered a spirit of cooperation and shared vision between the two economies, promising a brighter future for the global semiconductor industry. The participation of undergraduate students from UTAR was particularly noteworthy, as they gained valuable knowledge, especially in IC design, which is a current hot topic and trend in Malaysia. This underscored the forum’s commitment to involving the next generation of engineers and researchers, highlighting the importance of nurturing young talent to sustain and advance the semiconductor industry.

Overall, the forum facilitated valuable exchanges of knowledge and ideas, strengthening the collaborative ties between the two economies and setting the stage for future advancements in semiconductor technology.