ZDT–AIT Forum Debuts to Advance PCB–Semiconductor Integration

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Global PCB leader Zhen Ding Tech Group (ZDT) partnered with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on November 13 to host the inaugural "AIT-ZDT Forum" in Bangkok, Thailand. Themed "Regional Development in the Semiconductor Age," the event gathered over 100 distinguished leaders from industry, government, and academia to jointly chart a blueprint for technological innovation, high-end talent development, and regional supply chain resilience.

Through this cross-border exchange, ZDT continues to deepen its semiconductor deployment. By fully leveraging the unique strategic value of its "One ZDT" strategy in high-end processes and cross-platform integration, the Group aims to drive Asia to establish a leading position in the field of heterogeneous integration within the semiconductor ecosystem.

Charles Shen, Chairman of Zhen Ding, reaffirmed the Group's steadfast commitment to deepening its presence in Thailand and Southeast Asia, and to driving regional industry upgrades and talent development. Chairman Shen emphasized, "This forum marks a critical milestone as ZDT and AIT enter a phase of deep strategic collaboration. By combining our world-class industry leadership with AIT's exceptional academic research resources, we will comprehensively focus on three core areas: Talent Development, Technical Cooperation, and Industry-Academia Linkage. Our goal is to build a highly resilient and sustainable PCB and semiconductor ecosystem, thereby elevating our collective competitiveness in the global market."

Prof. Pai-Chi Li, President of AIT, also emphasized in his opening address that semiconductors and PCBs serve as the vital cornerstones of the AI digital economy. He stated that AIT will collaborate closely with ZDT to develop industryaligned curricula and practical research programs, aiming to cultivate regional talent and empower Thailand and Southeast Asia to ascend as a pivotal hub in the global supply chain.

The forum featured a keynote address titled "Free Market and Semiconductor Technology" by Prof. Burn J. Lin, former Vice President of R&D at TSMC and current Dean of the College of Semiconductor Research at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU). He highlighted the critical importance of cross-border collaboration and open innovation in the semiconductor industry.

Renowned as the "Father of Immersion Lithography," Dr. Lin revolutionized the industry with his groundbreaking technique utilizing water as a medium to overcome optical limits. This innovation propelled the advancement of the global semiconductor industry and extended Moore's Law for multiple generations. In his speech, he stressed that no single country can drive semiconductor innovation alone; rather, progress relies on shared expertise, diverse talent, and a freemarket environment that fosters continuous research and technological breakthroughs.

Chen-Fu Chien, President of ZDT Group, delivered a keynote titled "Smart Manufacturing & Digital Transformation for Manufacturing Excellence to Empower Semiconductor Heterogeneous Integration in AI Era." He provided an in-depth analysis of how the Group leverages digital decision-making and smart factories to extend the PCB value chain into the semiconductor domain, serving as a key strategic partner for clients to overcome technical thresholds.

Dr. Chien stated that with the explosive growth of AI, 5G, and next-generation electronics, PCBs have evolved from traditional circuit carriers into critical platforms for heterogeneous integration. To meet the rigorous demands of highperformance computing (HPC) in the AI era, ZDT continues to achieve process upgrades through digital transformation, providing critical solutions for advanced packaging. Furthermore, by joining forces with academia to accelerate the cultivation of next-generation talent, ZDT aims to lead the Asian semiconductor industry to new heights in the value chain with its world-class smart manufacturing capabilities.

Additionally, Prof. Siddharth K. Jabade, AIT Vice President for Administration and Development, delivered a speech on "Semiconductor Industry and Regional Development." He emphasized that close collaboration between academia and industry serves as a key catalyst, enabling ASEAN nations to transition from traditional downstream assembly models to high-value-added upstream R&D and technological innovation.

The forum also featured a special "Leaders Dialogue" session moderated by Mr. Voravate Chonlasin, Executive Director of AIT Extension. The panel brought together Dr. Chen-Fu Chien, President of ZDT Group, alongside Assoc. Prof. Chiranut Sa-ngiamsak from Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI); Prof. Manukid Parnichkun, AIT Vice President for Academic and Research; and Dr. Wutthinan Jeamsaksiri, representing the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) and the Thailand Printed Circuit Association (THPCA). The distinguished panelists engaged in an in-depth exchange on Thailand’s "Semiconductor Sandbox" initiative and the future prospects of advanced packaging.

The "AIT-ZDT Forum" marks the inaugural event of a planned series of joint workshops. The occasion was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including Mr. Te-Wang Hsiao, Chairman of Peng Sheng Technology, and Mr. Vorayos Thongtan, Managing Director of SPI (a subsidiary of Saha Group), who attended to offer their support.

Looking ahead, ZDT Group will continue to broaden engagement by inviting more leaders from industry, government, and academia to participate. Together, they will deliberate on forward-looking strategies regarding critical topics such as advanced packaging, supply chain resilience, and AI-enabled manufacturing, demonstrating the Group's steadfast determination to spearhead industry innovation and deepen its footprint in the Southeast Asian market.

- Charles Shen, Chairman of Zhen Ding Tech Group, delivers the opening address.
- Zhen Ding Tech Group and AIT co-hosted the inaugural "AIT-ZDT Forum" in Bangkok, Thailand. Themed "Regional Development in the Semiconductor Age," the event gathered over 100 leaders from industry, government, and academia to jointly chart a new blueprint for the semiconductor industry.
- Zhen Ding Tech Group and AIT co-hosted the inaugural "AIT-ZDT Forum" in Bangkok. Moving forward, the series will focus on critical topics such as advanced packaging, supply chain resilience, and AI-enabled manufacturing, demonstrating ZDT's determination to spearhead industry innovation and deepen its footprint in Southeast Asia.​​​​​