TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Minister Wu Tsung-tsong (吳政忠) revealed on Sunday (April 14) Taiwan’s plans to build its first overseas integrated circuit (IC) training center in Prague, Czech Republic.

The NSTC initiative operates under the Taiwan Chip-based Industrial Innovation Program, which aims to transform Taiwan into a global hub for IC design, CNA reported.

In a CNA interview, Wu said one of the program goals is to strengthen domestic IC design capabilities, focusing on the concept of “design for what.” “This entails developing innovative solutions for various industries, such as food, medicine, housing, education, and more,” the minister said.

Wu said the Prague training center will have basic equipment and instructors. Collaboration with local universities will facilitate basic IC design training, while more advanced backend processes, such as chip fabrication, will still be conducted in Taiwan, he explained.

Wu also said that in the future if Taiwanese companies intend to expand into Europe, overseas training centers will serve as platforms for training local talent, which is crucial. Training centers are based on cities and their locations, not countries, and can serve as a hub for regional talent, he added.

With operations expected to start in September, Wu said he hopes the training center will foster prosperity and mutual benefit between Taiwan and the Czech Republic, per Liberty Times.

First announced on Nov. 13, 2023, the Taiwan Chip-based Industrial Innovation Program has a budget of NT$300 billion (US$9.2 billion) and will be implemented from 2024 to 2033. It seeks to turn Taiwan into an IC hub and integrate generative AI into the country’s chips.