Modern innovation ecosystems today are based not only on high-quality research and cutting-edge infrastructure, but above all on the connection of three key pillars: strategic management, systematic work with talents and effective knowledge transfer into practice. Taiwan is among the global leaders in the semiconductor sector precisely because of its ability to develop these areas in the long term and integrate them into one functional unit.
How this model works in practice was presented on May 18, 2026 in Prague during the Czech Semicon Days by Dr. Ching Yao (Hank) Huang, Vice President Office of Industry-Academia Co-creation (OIAC) from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU). In his presentation “Talent Development & Technology Transfer in Taiwan”, he showed how the university strategically connects academia with industry and develops international cooperation, including with the United States and Japan. The emphasis was placed on practical examples of the functioning of this ecosystem and its global dimension.
The Taiwanese approach is based on the participatory principle of co-creation. Universities and companies jointly define problems, propose solutions and share results. The Innovation Alliance, which brings together more than 50 technology companies, plays a key role here, helping to identify future technological priorities and connecting industry needs with research capacities. It is followed by the OIAC, which ensures the creation of joint projects, intellectual property management and licensing processes. Research results are then fed into the InnoBridge platform, which connects researchers, startups and investors, and subsequently into the university accelerator IAPS (Incubation and Acceleration Program for Startups), which supports the creation of new companies and their entry into the global market.
An important element is also the international dimension of the ecosystem, which is covered by the CIRA (Center for Industry-Academia Research Alliance) platform. It coordinates cooperation with global partners and enables the development of joint projects across countries and disciplines. NYCU is building strong partnerships, for example in Japan in the field of robotics and advanced manufacturing, or in the United States, where a Talent & Innovation Hub focused on semiconductors and advanced technologies is being created in collaboration with the University of Arizona.
Just as essential as the infrastructure itself is systematic work with talent. NYCU combines technical education with the development of global competencies - the emphasis is on the ability to cooperate, communicate and navigate in an international environment. Students participate in real projects with industrial partners and gain experience that increases their competitiveness. The IAPS accelerator also supports entrepreneurship and the ability to transform research results into specific products and services.
The entire system functions as an interconnected innovation cycle - from identifying industry needs through research, intellectual property protection, presentation and validation of technologies to the emergence of startups and their application on the market. This model shows that the key to success is not only the quality of individual actors, but above all their coordination and shared strategy. It represents inspiration for the Czech Republic, especially in its emphasis on systemic connectivity, long-term vision, and the active role of globally oriented partnerships in the development of the innovation ecosystem.
Who is who:
Acronym | Full name | Focus, activities |
OIAC | Office of Industry-Academia Co-creation | An office that initiates and creates projects and protects intellectual property. |
NYCU | National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University | A public research university in Hsinchu and Taipei, Taiwan. |
Innovation Alliance | Innovation Alliance | Signals and anticipates future technological priorities, connects industry needs with research capabilities. |
InnoBridge | InnoBridge platform | Connects researchers, startups and investors, and creates a space for the presentation and validation of new technologies. |
IAPS | Incubation and Acceleration Program for Startups | A university accelerator that helps teams transform ideas into real companies and launch them on the global market. |
CIRA | Center for Industry Academia Research Alliance | An umbrella platform connecting the university with global industry partners, coordinating international research activities and unifying collaboration across faculties. |
