With its strong technological capabilities and comprehensive industrial ecosystem, Taiwan has established itself as a global leader in high-tech industries and has become a model for young people from many allied nations seeking to learn from its success. Recently, Taiwan Tech led 40 exchange students from the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University (UPTP) on an educational visit to the Hsinchu Science Park Discovery Museum. The visit provided students with an in-depth understanding of the development of Hsinchu Science Park, its industrial strengths, and its innovative research achievements, while allowing them to observe firsthand how technology drives national development and expands both their professional knowledge and global perspectives.

Taiwan Tech recently led 40 exchange students from the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University on a visit to the Hsinchu Science Park Discovery Museum to learn about the park's development, industrial characteristics, and innovative research achievements.

Known as the birthplace of Taiwan's high-tech industry, Hsinchu Science Park is home to leading companies in semiconductors, information and communications technology (ICT), optoelectronics, biotechnology, precision machinery, and green technology. The Discovery Museum combines permanent exhibitions with interactive experiences to present the park's transformation from its early development into one of the world's leading technology clusters. Through displays of innovative products and technological achievements from companies based in the park, students gained valuable insights into the operation of Taiwan's industrial supply chain and its global development strategies.

Meng-Kun Liu, Director of Student Affairs for the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University Project Office, explained that Taiwan Tech's education of UPTP students extends beyond engineering and technological expertise by emphasizing the integration of theory and practice. He hopes students will deepen their understanding of industrial development while considering how their professional knowledge can contribute to national development and societal needs. “Students from the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University will become important professionals in Paraguay's science and engineering sectors”, Liu said. “I hope they will not only acquire strong technical expertise but also develop an understanding of different cultures and industrial environments, enabling them to serve as bridges for future cooperation and exchange between Taiwan and Paraguay”.

Through guided tours and detailed explanations from museum staff, the students learned how Taiwan's technology industry evolved from its early stages into one of the world's foremost innovation hubs. They also gained a deeper appreciation of how research and development, manufacturing, and industrial management work together to build a comprehensive and globally competitive industrial ecosystem. The visit served as both an industrial education experience and an introduction to Taiwan's technological development.

Museum guides explain the industrial applications of semiconductor chips developed by companies in Hsinchu Science Park.

UPTP students learn about hydrogen-powered motorcycles and the application of hydrogen energy in green transportation.

For the Paraguayan students-who are majoring in civil engineering, electromechanical engineering, industrial engineering, and information engineering and are approaching graduation-the visit represented far more than an extension of classroom learning. It offered a valuable opportunity to experience industry firsthand. According to Liu, one of the greatest strengths of Hsinchu Science Park lies in its successful integration of industry, government, academia, and research institutions into a dynamic and continuously evolving innovation ecosystem. This collaborative model has been a key factor in maintaining Taiwan's competitiveness in the global high-tech industry.

Student Mathias Pereira shared that the visit gave him a much deeper understanding of the long-term investments in talent cultivation, collaboration among industry, government, and academia, and government support that underpin Taiwan's technological success. He hopes to bring the professional knowledge and industrial insights he has gained in Taiwan back to Paraguay, where he can contribute to national development and help promote industrial innovation and economic growth.

The Hsinchu Science Park Discovery Museum combines interactive exhibits and permanent displays featuring innovative products and technologies developed by companies in the Science Park.

The Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University was jointly established by the governments of Taiwan and Paraguay with the mission of cultivating highly skilled technology professionals for Paraguay. In addition to academic coursework, the university actively organizes company visits, industry exchange activities, and cultural experiences to broaden students' perspectives. Liu emphasized that direct exposure to industrial environments is an essential part of students' education. Through carefully planned industrial visits and corporate exchange programs, Taiwan Tech enables students to better understand industry trends, business needs, and emerging technological innovations, helping bridge the gap between academia and industry.

The development of Hsinchu Science Park demonstrated to the students the importance of the close relationship among talent cultivation, education, and industrial development. Its success also offers valuable insights for the future development of the Paraguay–Taiwan Smart Technology Park (Parque Tecnológico Inteligente Taiwan–Paraguay), particularly in promoting science and technology education, cultivating engineering talent, and supporting industrial upgrading. Looking ahead, Taiwan Tech will continue helping students broaden their international perspectives and develop the problem-solving and innovative thinking skills needed for future technological leaders, while further strengthening the long-term partnership between Taiwan and Paraguay in technology education and industrial collaboration.