National Central University Collaborates with Synopsys to Provide Students Advanced Training Using Synopsys Optical Design Software Solutions

Synopsys Taiwan has agreed to donate three top-tier optical design software tools, including Synopsys CODE V, LightTools, and RSoft Photonic Device Tools, to National Central University's Department of Optics and Photonics for a period of three years. The donation ceremony took place at Kuo-Ting Optoelectronics Building at National Central University.

President Dr. Jing-Yang Jou of National Central University, drawing from his experience in the IC design field, particularly commended Synopsys for its contributions to Taiwan's IC design industry. “The donation from Synopsys, the leading silicon to systems design solutions company, provides us with optical design software that aligns seamlessly with the Department of Optics and Photonics of National Central University, which is competitive in optical technology, further enhancing the all-encompassing learning environment for students in optical courses,” President Dr. Jou said.

“Since Synopsys established its branch office in Taiwan more than three decades ago, we have been committed to collaborating with and supporting the semiconductor and optoelectronic industries in Taiwan, where our company has over 1,400 employees,” said Dr. Robert Li, Synopsys Sales Vice President of Taiwan and South Asia and Chairman of Synopsys Taiwan. “This donation aims to empower the next generation of engineers with the skills and knowledge to push the boundaries of the semiconductor and optoelectronic industries innovation.” Synopsys also strives to bridge the gap between industry and academia via the Synopsys Academic & Research Alliances (SARA) initiative, which seeks to deepen Synopsys’s role as a technology partner-of-choice and empower the workforce of tomorrow with emphasis on cultivating research, innovation, and talent.

“In recent years, optical applications have become increasingly prevalent across various industries, from smartphones and automobiles to virtual/augmented reality devices. The demand for systematic and integrated optical solutions has risen significantly, posing greater challenges for optical engineers,” said Hiroki Yoshinaga, Executive Director of Synopsys Optical Solutions. “This donation will provide the National Central University with comprehensive optical solutions and equip our students with greatly needed advanced skills and experience.”

Dean Chun-Guey Wu of the College of Science at National Central University recognizes the department's leadership position in optical education and research nationally. “I’m grateful for Synopsys’ enthusiastic support of optical education and happy for the students who can receive trainings with Synopsys’ state-of-the-art optical design software,” Dean Wu said.

Professor Ching-Cherng Sun, who facilitated this donation, highlights the Department of Optics and Photonics’ history of education and research in optical science, and the uniqueness of its courses which lead it to a leading position in the country. "The three donated software align perfectly with the three mandatory courses in the institute, namely geometric optics, Fourier optics, and crystal optics, allowing students to validate theoretical learning through software simulations and enhance their competitiveness in the job market by including the experiences in their resumes,” said Prof. Sun. “I would also like to express my special thanks to Chair Ko-Ting Cheng of the Department of Optics and Photonics and Vice Dean Tsung-Hsun Yang of the College of Science for their unwavering support for this collaboration, which enables Synopsys to integrate its cutting-edge optical design software with the outstanding optical education at National Central University, setting a high-quality example of industry-academic collaboration.”