TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In a strategic move to bolster Taiwan's semiconductor talent pipeline, the global industry association Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI, 國際半導體產業協會) unveiled its new "Semiconductor SEMI 20 UNDER 40" awards program (半導體新銳獎) on Monday (June 9). The initiative, developed in partnership with Taiwan's leading technology companies and academic institutions, seeks to identify, develop, and network emerging leaders under age 40 who have already made notable contributions to Taiwan's crucial semiconductor ecosystem.
The organization is actively encouraging semiconductor companies to nominate promising talent from diverse departments and specializations, with an emphasis on building robust professional networks that span the entire industry. Terry Tsao (曹世綸), who serves as both SEMI's Global Chief Marketing Officer and President of its Taiwan operations, emphasized that the awards program transcends simple recognition of individual achievement. "This initiative represents a long-term strategic investment aligned with the industry's critical workforce development needs," Tsao explained during the announcement ceremony.
The selection process will feature an elite judging panel consisting of senior executives from 14 leading semiconductor firms, including industry giants Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC, 台積電), Taiwan's largest chipmaker, MediaTek (MTK, 聯發科), a major fabless semiconductor company, and ASE Technology Holding Co (ASE) (日月光), the world's largest semiconductor testing and packaging provider.
Academic leaders from Taiwan's prestigious semiconductor research institutes will also participate in the evaluation process. Candidates will be assessed across multiple dimensions including innovation capability, leadership potential, technical proficiency, and broader contributions to industry advancement. SEMI has deliberately structured the program to be inclusive, welcoming applications from young professionals in non-technical roles such as marketing, sales, and product management. ◼