National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering and an Honorary Doctorate in Science upon Dr. C.C. Wei, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), on February 29th.
This recognition honors Dr. Wei for his significant contributions to the high-tech industry and society. The award ceremony was presided over by President Chi-Hung Lin, and it included commendations and a hooding ceremony. Distinguished guests, including Dr. Morris Chang, the founder of TSMC, and Mr. Young Liu, Chairman of Foxconn Technology Group, attended the event to offer their congratulations.
Following Dr. Wei’s graduation from the Electronic Engineering Department at National Chiao Tung University, he obtained a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Yale University in the United States.
Upon joining TSMC in 1998, he assumed leadership of the mainstream technology business group, overseeing production at 6-inch and 8-inch fabs. He dedicated himself to upgrading mainstream processes, seeking opportunities in fingerprint recognition, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), wearable devices, light-sensitive components, and automotive electronic chips, and introducing new revenue streams for TSMC. In 2003, he led a team that successfully improved the yield of the 0.13-micron copper process, which gave TSMC a competitive edge over its rivals.
Dr. Wei maintains a strong bond with his alma mater. He worked with TSMC to create the ‘NYCU-TSMC Joint Research Center,’ with the aim of promoting collaboration between academia and industry, the practical application of research outcomes, forward-looking technological breakthroughs, and cultivating industry talents. Moreover, he strongly supported the establishment of the ‘Department of Semiconductor Engineering’ in 2024.
Furthermore, during his term as the Chairman of the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association (TSIA) from 2017 to 2019, Dr. Wei actively engaged in public affairs and contributed to the growth of the semiconductor industry in Taiwan and worldwide.
After serving as the CEO of TSMC for six years, C.C. Wei has proven to be a CEO with the most comprehensive preparation, in my opinion.
-Dr. Morris Chang, the Founder of TSMC
Dr. Morris Chang delivered a speech at the ceremony, expressing his appreciation for Dr. Wei’s contributions to the company. Dr. Wei successfully rotated through three major business groups: R&D, manufacturing, and business development. The collaborative operation of these three business groups is crucial for a company specializing in customized products. Dr. Wei, who holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Yale University, showcased his expertise by actively dedicating himself to R&D and serving as a manufacturing executive at TSMC. He oversaw the operations of 6-inch and 8-inch fabs, leading a workforce of 12,000 employees.
Dr. Chang emphasized that when TSMC had plans to establish a company-wide business development department at that time to engage with clients and the market, Dr. Wei willingly transitioned to lead a team of 60 to 70 team members in the business development division, a move that Dr. Chang deemed as an asset and an integral part of his professional development process. With that said, he was recognized as a CEO with the most comprehensive preparation.
It’s important to contribute to our fellow students, society, country, and the world. We should never forget our roots and always remember where we come from.
-Dr. Young Liu, the Chairman of Foxconn Technology Group
The Chairman of Foxconn Technology Group, Young Liu, shared the story about himself and Dr. Wei, highlighting the three words ‘early, diversified, and challenging.’ Chairman Liu expressed that both of them graduated from NYCU, and the companies they lead, one boasting the most significant market value and the other the highest revenue, must contribute not only to their businesses but also to NYCU, the country, and even the world. He emphasized the spirit of the university’s motto, “When drinking water, one should not forget its source,” as a guiding principle for always being grateful and giving back to society.
I believe that the most important thing for a person is to remain humble and keep an open mind. It’s important ‘not to forget who you are,’ but it’s equally important ‘to know who you are.’
-Dr. C. C. Wei, the CEO of TSMC
During Dr. Wei’s Honorary Doctorate speech titled ‘Be proactive in work, be humble in life,’ he inspired the audience, including students and faculty members. Drawing on TSMC’s core values, Integrity, Commitment, Innovation, and Customer Trust (ICIC), he exemplifies how the company consistently goes the extra mile to serve its customers. This commitment stems from a proactive attitude of comprehending customers’ needs better than they do themselves. Dr. Wei emphasizes the importance of listening, which is often neglected, as a key aspect of humility and learning. He learned this valuable lesson by observing Dr. Morris Chang.
In his concluding keynote speech titled “Don’t Forget Who I Am,” Dr. Wei emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and working with individuals who share similar values, as it enables us to continuously progress and grow. This will lead to a mutually beneficial outcome for personal, corporate, and societal development throughout the journey in life.
Dr. Wei’s full Awarded Honorary Doctorate Acceptance Speech:
I really appreciate the recognition from President Chi-Hung Lin and the Review Committee. I am honored to go back to my alma mater and be awarded the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Engineering and Science from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University after my graduation for many years.
I studied at the Department of Electronics Engineering and the Institute of. Electronics of NYCU beginning in 1971, where I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Following that, I applied to pursue a Ph.D. at Yale University in the U.S. Since graduation, I have gained professional experiences in various companies, including Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics N.V., Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd, and most recently, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited where I am currently employed. Semiconductors were not given much attention by the public nearly five decades ago. However, they have revolutionized every aspect of human society. From mainframes, personal computers, and smartphones to the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), all these advancements are heavily reliant on the progress made in the field of semiconductors. I was in charge of the Mainstream Technology Business Group when I joined TSMC in 1998. In addition to being in charge of the production of the six-inch and eight-inch fabs, I devoted myself to upgrading the mainstream process of the time, with a focus on exploring business prospects in areas such as fingerprint recognition, micro-electromechanical systems, wearable and optical sensors, as well as chips for automotive applications. After that, I joined the Business Development Division with a focus on delivering innovative solutions to customer and ensuring their success. I approached this role with a customer-centric mindset and a deep understanding of their requirements. As I progressed to higher positions as CO-CEO and President, my responsibilities increased, and I remained vigilant and determined to exceed expectations. My commitment to excellence and attention to detail drives me to achieve my goals and not to let down my teams.
Throughout my career, I have experienced both successes and challenges that needed to be overcome. However, I always keep in mind the values instilled by my alma mater, which are to “Learn New Knowledge and Reach Far; Honor the Truth and Work Hard” and have developed a philosophy of “Be proactive in work, be humble in life.” In both my professional and personal life, I always maintain a proactive attitude toward overcoming challenges. Regardless of the position I hold, I never forget where I started.
The book How the Mighty Fall, authored by Jim Collins, the management expert, explores how a successful enterprise becomes unprosperous; one of the points mentioned in this book that struck me was when “the CEO forgets who he is.” When the management takes success for granted, stops listening and learning, and attributes all success to the superiority of the enterprise and its leader, this is the first step forward to failure. The semiconductor industry cannot succeed through individual efforts alone. Just like the creation of a single chip— from design, production, packaging, testing, and selling— the entire ecosystem must rely on collective efforts. My success in my career and receiving an Honorary Doctorate Degree from my alma mater is the result of the collective efforts of my colleagues, customers, and supply chain partners.
Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to those people who have given me suggestions and support along the way. I really appreciate the support and encouragement from my family, teachers, customers, partners, and friends in every industry. As the old saying goes, “Since people find it hard to be self-aware, they borrow experiences from others to reflect upon themselves.” I am grateful to have so many models around me from whom I can learn from. I would like to share this success with everyone as a form of mutual encouragement. Let’s maintain our curiosity and empathy so as to continuously innovate for a better future.