Holtek Second MCU Innovation Competition

Holtek Semiconductor's second MCU Innovation Competition took place this year on the 18th November. This year, the competition attracted over 100 competing teams from universities, technical colleges and high schools from all over the island, with the venue the same as last year's event at the Lunghwa University of Science and Technology. Holtek's main objective in conducting this activity is for the promotion of technological vocational education, and under the direction of the Ministry of Education, was carried out jointly by Lunghwa University and other supporting companies. The activity was subdivided into the following four categories, general control, toys, instrumentation, household appliance control and an additional category for high school participants. To encourage participation, prize funding for the event was made available to a total of 1 million New Taiwan Dollars. The Dean of Lunghwa University, expressed his hope that through this competition, an innovation and creative information interchange platform had been created for educational establishments in the MCU application area. Additionally he hoped that the roots had been planted to encourage high school teachers to enthusiastically participate, creating an all win situation for the three areas of student/teacher, schools and industry.

Holtek has focused its design efforts in the area of microcontroller development, with recent years not only seeing its entire series meeting industrial standards but also some of its products conforming to the even more stringent automotive standards. The range of device applications extends to those of household appliances, medical equipment, measurement apparatus, automotive peripheral components etc. Holtek's higher management have clearly demonstrated their commitment to academic cooperation through the founding of a series of MCU laboratories to establish a microcontroller application development environment to encourage the training of MCU specialist personnel. In addition to assisting the Ministry of Education's desire to encourage an ethos of cooperation and bring closer together both academia and the needs of industry and development trends, it also wishes to implement enhanced dialogue between academic institutions. Through this competition, an opportunity has been created for teachers and students from all over Taiwan to meet together and as such provide a means to stimulate a country-wide atmosphere of student cooperation.

The Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, as an academic institution striving for excellence, and in implementing these vocational training objectives, is responding both to technological development trends and the needs of society. With a focus on the practical, with excellence and innovation at the centre of its educational mindset, and in giving students appropriate theoretical teaching, will provide them with the learning to handle matters in a more practical manner and give them a better outlook on life. As the University strives in its efforts to provide students with an education of high quality and high standards, it hopes to see the emergence in the future of high calibre high-tech professionals.

The groups participating in the competition originate from a full range of Taiwan academic
institutions, with each participating group demonstrating much creativity in their efforts. Holtek Semiconductor together with Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, together hope, that through this competitive activity, they can achieve their objective of seeking out creative technological talent for the benefit of society.