Semiconductor Pioneer Eric Tsai Receives Honorary Doctorate from NTHU
2025.05.08
From left to right: College of Arts dean Fang-Yu Chang (張芳宇), president Kao, Eric Tsai, College of Engineering dean Yu-Chen Hu, and College of Technology Management assistant dean Jow-Ran Chang (張焯然).
National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan has recently awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering to Eric Tsai (蔡進步), a pioneer in semiconductor packaging and testing, and founder and chairman of the Jipal Corporation. Tsai graduated from the Department of Power Mechanical Engineering in 1981; he previously served as the president of the Alumni Association, and he is currently the honorary president. The honorary doctorate was conferred at a ceremony on May 8 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to industry and to his alma mater.
Dr. Tsai said that he was highly pleased to receive an honorary doctorate, but he wonders how he can ever live up to the honor. He added that his dual expertise could be called π-shaped, in that he specializes in two areas: semiconductor packaging and testing, and inspiring alumni to give something back to their alma mater.
Dr. Tsai was accompanied by his wife and two sons. He thanked his wife for all her support and told his children that he is very proud of them.
NTHU president W. John Kao (高為元) said that Dr. Tsai was born into a family of oyster farmers in Budai, Chiayi County. Although his parents had limited financial resources, they encouraged him to explore his career options. As it turned out, he lived up to their expectations and made a name for himself in the semiconductor industry.
“If not for Dr. Tsai's dedication and passion, the Alumni Association would not be what it is today---a vigorous global organization striving forward in leaps and bounds!” praised Kao.
The current president of the Alumni Association Simon Chen (陳立白) was on hand to offer congratulations. It was Chen who nominated Dr. Tsai for an honorary doctorate, and his nomination was seconded by the Colleges of Engineering, Arts, and Technology Management, setting a new record at NTHU. Chen presented Tsai with a glass sculpture embossed with the words “Old, but still full of vigor.”
Chen said that he is also from Budai, where Dr. Tsai is highly admired, and that the honorary doctorate was well deserved.
College of Engineering dean Yu-Chen Hu (胡育誠) said that Dr. Tsai has been deeply involved in the semiconductor industry for more than 30 years. He has demonstrated an international vision spanning optoelectronics, testing and substrate assembly, and has also helped to build the foundation of Taiwan's supply chain.
Hu added that Tsai's entrepreneurial spirit and many contributions to his alma mater are the embodiment of NTHU's motto, “Self-discipline and social commitment.”
Dr. Tsai graduated from the Department of Power Mechanical Engineering in 1981 and he has been involved in alumni services since 2009. He has served as the president of the Alumni Association of the Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, as the founding president of the Committee of 100, and as the president of the Tsinghua Entrepreneur Network. In these capacities he has demonstrated remarkable skill in integrating resources and facilitating cooperation between academia and industry.
During his tenure as president of the Alumni Association, Tsai established a clear organizational structure, oversaw the establishment of four Alumni Association chapters in Taiwan, and expanded the Association's overseas network, personally visiting North America, Shanghai, India, Vietnam and other places to enhance the global visibility of NTHU alumni.
Dr. Tsai recalled that he had a great time chatting with alumni when he went to Mumbai to set up the Indian chapter of the Alumni Association. He mentioned that there were two little girls who had a great time using NTHU flags as capes, so much so that their parents spontaneously decided that someday they will surely study at NTHU.
Dr. Tsai established the Jipal Corporation as a multinational semiconductor equipment agency representing international brands, and the company soon won the confidence of both manufacturers and customers, becoming a key advocate for Taiwan's semiconductor industry.
Moreover, Dr. Tsai has spared no effort in his support of NTHU, providing generous donations to the Rising Sun scholarship, the Multi-purpose Gymnasium, the renovation of Lake Success (where a pier has been named in his honor), and the Chun-shan UMC Concert Hall project. Also a supporter of the arts and cultural education, Tsai pushed for the introduction of art courses into the Executive Master of Business Administration program of the College of Technology Management. In addition, he has sponsored numerous concerts and performances, and has encouraged cross-disciplinary learning.
During the grand and heartwarming ceremony, students from the Department of Music sang songs such as “What I like” and “For the Love of NTHU,” accompanied by a piano trio and string quartet.
Dr. Tsai is the 44th recipient of an honorary doctorate from NTHU since its reestablishment in Taiwan. Among other recipients are Chen-Ning Yang (楊振寧), who won the Nobel Prize in Physics; Tsung-Dao Lee (李政道); Yuan-Tseh Lee (李遠哲), the former president of Academia Sinica; former TSMC chairman Morris Chang (張忠謀); Olympic medalist in track and field Cheng Chi (紀政); the internationally renowned animal conservationist Jane Goodall; Fai-Nan Perng (彭淮南), the former governor of the Central Bank of Taiwan; and Lisa Su, Chairman and CEO of AMD.
Kao (left) conferring the honorary doctorate to Tsai.
Kao (left) and Hu (right) conferring the honorary doctorate to Tsai.
Simon Chen (left) presenting Tsai with a glass sculpture embossed with the words "Old, but still full of vigor."
Dr. Tsai delivering his acceptance speech.
Kao said that Tsai's dedication and passion have made the Alumni Association what it is today.
Hu affirmed Tsai's many contributions to the semiconductor industry and NTHU.
Chen nominated Tsai for an honorary doctorate, which was seconded by the Colleges of Engineering, Arts, and Technology Management, setting a new record at NTHU.
Performances by students from the Department of Music added an artistic touch to the ceremony.
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