Boise State University Signs Semiconductor Education Partnership With Taiwan University at Idaho State Capitol
Boise State University has formalized a new international education partnership aimed at strengthening Idaho’s growing role in semiconductor manufacturing and workforce development. The university signed a memorandum of understanding with Minghsin University of Science and Technology of Taiwan during a ceremony held Thursday, May 7, at the Idaho State Capitol — a milestone that officials say builds on more than four decades of economic and educational ties between Idaho and Taiwan.
Capitol Ceremony Marks Broader Idaho-Taiwan Collaboration
The signing took place as part of the “Invest in Idaho: From Potato Chips to Microchips” event, a two-day gathering that highlighted Idaho’s expanding footprint in semiconductor manufacturing and education. Boise State was joined at the ceremony by the University of Idaho and Idaho State University, each of which signed separate agreements with Taiwanese partners.
Boise State Interim Provost Zeynep Hansen and Minghsin University Vice President Chih-Hung Gilbert Li signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. The Idaho Department of Commerce facilitated the event after leading an outbound delegation to Taiwan in February that included 13 site visits with universities, research institutes, companies, and government agencies.
“This new partnership with Minghsin University represents a natural extension of the decades-long relationship between Idaho and Taiwan,” Hansen said. “These agreements will create exceptional opportunities for our faculty and students to learn, innovate and collaborate while strengthening Idaho’s position on the global stage.”
Hands-On Training Model Caught Idaho’s Attention
Minghsin University drew particular interest from the Idaho delegation during the February trip because of its closely integrated approach to hands-on technical training. The Boise State team toured the Taiwanese university’s fabrication facility, observing how academic coursework and practical manufacturing experience are woven together to prepare students for careers in one of the world’s most advanced semiconductor industries.
College of Engineering Dean Amy Fleischer pointed to the potential the MOU creates for joint research and new approaches to workforce training. “Taiwan’s leadership in the global semiconductor industry, combined with our own growing expertise in microelectronics, creates tremendous potential for collaboration,” Fleischer said. “This MOU opens doors for joint research, student and faculty collaborations, and innovative approaches to expanding workforce development.”
The Boise State College of Engineering and the university’s Microelectronics Education and Research Center have already positioned the school as a regional leader in semiconductor education — an effort aligned with major private-sector investments in Idaho’s technology infrastructure, including data center development in the Boise area.
Pathways for Students and Faculty Taking Shape
Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering Director Eric Jankowski described several concrete opportunities already emerging from the agreement, including faculty sabbaticals, Mandarin language study programs in Taiwan, and a graduate track that would split time between Boise State and Minghsin University.
“We’re developing potential faculty sabbatical opportunities, programs and courses for students to learn Mandarin in Taiwan, and graduate programs that feature one year at Boise State followed by a year at Minghsin,” Jankowski said. “All of these opportunities deepen our semiconductor expertise and position students for leadership.”
Idaho Commerce Business Development Specialist Tracy Day, who helped coordinate the original delegation trip, said the MOU creates a lasting channel between the insights gathered during those 13 technical site visits and Boise State’s research capabilities. “This partnership transforms our original delegation insights into permanent global exchange opportunities for Idaho and Taiwanese students while accelerating workforce development for Idaho companies,” Day said.
Why This Partnership Matters for Ada County and the Treasure Valley
Idaho and Taiwan share a sister-state relationship dating to the early 1980s, and Taiwan ranks as Idaho’s second-largest trading partner. For the Treasure Valley specifically, the agreement arrives at a critical moment. Semiconductor manufacturing — anchored by companies like Micron Technology, headquartered in Boise — is driving significant economic growth and demand for a skilled technical workforce. As Boise and the broader Ada County region attract new development and population growth, the pipeline of microelectronics talent produced through partnerships like this one will play a direct role in sustaining that expansion. Boise State’s campus is also a cornerstone of the city’s identity, drawing students and economic activity across the region. Fans and community members following Boise State Bronco athletics are likewise invested in the university’s overall growth and national profile.
What Comes Next
The MOU establishes a framework for the two universities to develop joint research projects, curriculum initiatives, and workforce training programs in the months ahead. Faculty exchange and student enrollment options are expected to be developed as formal program structures are finalized. Residents interested in Boise State’s semiconductor and engineering programs can visit the College of Engineering through the university’s main website for enrollment and research information.