Sponsored by the governments of Taiwan and Guatemala, the “Semiconductor Vocational Training Program” aimed at assisting the development of high-tech industries in the Republic of China’s ally, Guatemala, was officially launched on April 30th. Twenty-eight candidates selected by the Embassy of the Republic of China in Guatemala, the Guatemalan Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will undergo three weeks of intensive training in Taiwan starting in May.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo, who took office in January last year, has repeatedly expressed a desire for Taiwan to assist Guatemala in developing high-tech semiconductor industries to drive economic growth. Therefore, the “Semiconductor Vocational Training Program” has received significant attention from the Guatemalan government. Economic Minister Gabriela Garcia-Quinn and Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez both attended the launch ceremony.
The 28 candidates are top students majoring in electrical engineering and information systems from leading universities in Guatemala, including department heads and research center directors. They will receive intensive training in Taiwan starting on May 8th.
During their training in Taiwan, they will visit various high-tech industries in Taiwan, such as the Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA), as well as the Hsinchu Science Park and the Yangming Jiang University International Innovation Incubation Center. They will also undergo advanced semiconductor courses, becoming future “seed instructors” in the high-tech industry of Guatemala.
Ambassador Zhang Junfei of the Republic of China in Guatemala pointed out that Taiwan produces about 60% of the global semiconductor products and 90% of high-end chips, which are crucial for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and other cutting-edge technological innovations. The training program marks the beginning and witness the cooperation between Taiwan and Guatemala in advancing towards modernization, demonstrating the most tangible expression of Taiwan’s “Honored Country Project.”
Minister Gabriela Garcia-Quinn stated that in June 2024, Guatemala launched the “National Strategy to Attract Foreign Investment,” aiming to attract influential industries to enhance Guatemala’s competitiveness and promote economic and social development. In collaboration with the Republic of China’s Embassy in Guatemala, they have jointly planned a future vision called the “Road of Chips,” aiming to make Guatemala a participant in the emerging semiconductor manufacturing sector representing innovation, technology, and quality employment.
Garcia-Quinn expressed sincere gratitude to the Taiwanese government for not only supporting but also generously sharing its leading experience in the global semiconductor industry, helping Guatemala integrate into the global value chain.
Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez also thanked the Taiwanese government for its support in strengthening Guatemala’s national modernization strategic direction. He emphasized that the joint initiation of the semiconductor technology training program between Guatemala and Taiwan marks the beginning of the commitment to cooperation between the two countries.
Carlos Esquit, director of the Department of Electrical Engineering at DEL VALLE University and one of the participants, mentioned in an interview with the Central News Agency that this training program will allow Guatemala to have a deeper understanding of the semiconductor industry. With the strong assistance and guidance from the Taiwan government, a robust cooperation model between the government and the industry can be established.