Microelectronics R&D blossoms in Taiwan

Microelectronics development has progressed rapidly during the past 30 years. Unlike several leading Western countries, with long standing microelectronics facilities, Taiwan's microelectronics industry has grown in a very short time. In 1994, Taiwan's IC production was 3.5 percent of the world's semiconductor market. Based on the current growth rate, Taiwan will account for about 8 percent of the world's semiconductor market in 2000. Taiwan's rapidly growing microelectronics industry is the result of the unprecedented progress in microelectronics education in academic institutions, the strong infrastructure which has been designed for the country's semiconductor industry, and its strong ties to both Japanese as well as western cultures. In order to compete in the IC industry, three basic elements are required-capital, manpower, and determination. Unlike other major industries, the microelectronics industry relies heavily on research and development (R&D). Thus, for an advanced IC company, high quality manpower is the key to success. Microelectronics education, therefore, is ultimately one of the most important factors for determining that success.