Five-year memorandum of understanding connects professional training, international internships, and research collaboration

Asia University announced on October 1 that it had signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Arizona Western College (AWC), further strengthening its partnerships with U.S. higher education institutions. The collaboration will focus on semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), information technology, and smart manufacturing through short-term professional courses, international internships, faculty and student exchanges, and joint research. Plans also include opportunities for U.S. students to study in Taiwan, connecting Taiwan’s technology industry strengths with international educational resources to create new pathways for developing technology talent.

Asia University President Jeffrey J. P. Tsai said international engagement is essential to preparing students for the future, while semiconductors and AI represent key strengths that connect Taiwan’s higher education sector with the world. Building on its Bachelor’s Degree Program in Semiconductors and its Research Center for AI Semiconductor Design and Sustainable Manufacturing, the university will integrate industry practice, international education, and interinstitutional collaboration to cultivate technology professionals with technical expertise, interdisciplinary capabilities, and a global outlook.

Tsai added that the partnership offers a starting point for connecting Taiwan’s strengths in semiconductors, AI, and smart manufacturing with U.S. higher education and regional industry resources. These connections will enable students to learn, gain hands-on experience, and exchange ideas across campuses, borders, cultures, and industry settings.

The partnership grew out of a recent visit to Taiwan by AWC President Dr. Reetika Dhawan as part of a delegation from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Discussions between the two institutions subsequently led to the agreement. AWC formally announced the partnership to U.S. media at a joint virtual press conference held at 4 p.m. on September 30 in Arizona, corresponding to 7 a.m. on October 1 in Taiwan.

Dhawan said AWC faculty and students look forward to strengthening their friendship and collaboration with Asia University. She also expressed appreciation for the university’s trust in the AWC community and her hope that more U.S. students will have opportunities to study in Taiwan, enriching their professional education through cultural immersion and international exchange.

The institutions will advance academic collaboration, faculty and student exchanges, joint research, short-term training, and international internships. Asia University will draw on its teaching and research resources in semiconductors, AI, information technology, and smart manufacturing to help students develop a comprehensive understanding of the industry, spanning materials, fabrication processes, packaging and testing, and AI applications. International study and practical experience will also strengthen students’ cross-cultural communication skills and prepare them to engage with the global technology sector.

AWC has also stepped up its investment in manufacturing and technology workforce development. In August 2026, it received a US$5 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, becoming one of 11 selected institutions nationwide. The funding will support expanded manufacturing technology training, business operations assistance, automation upgrades, and government contracting support. Dhawan said the investment aims to strengthen local manufacturing while creating career opportunities through workforce development and driving innovation across regional industries and communities.

With the partnership now underway, Asia University and AWC will bring together their educational, research, and industry resources to extend international engagement beyond campus visits into professional training, hands-on industry experience, and research collaboration. By drawing on the complementary strengths of Taiwan and the United States, the institutions aim to expand international opportunities for developing talent in semiconductors, AI, and smart manufacturing while delivering concrete outcomes through higher education cooperation.