Gong Ping, CEO of WaferChina, a Xi'an-based epi-house fab, called on local policymakers and high-tech startups on April 2 to work together and build a more transparent, far-sighted, and fairer environment for the development of the semiconductor industry.

Gong, also a senior engineer with 20 years of experience in the production, marketing, and sales within the metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) industry, suggested the local government include R&D personnel and expert opinions in the decision-making process and avoid introducing policies in a one-size-fits-all fashion.

He thus noted that supporting policies for innovators in Xi'an need to focus on long-range goals rather than specific short-term targets.

Research work, especially in the fields of semiconductors and optoelectronics, should be first and foremost practical, Gong told China.org.cn.

Established in November 2017, Gong's company specializes in producing high-quality III-V compound semiconductor epi-wafers. As China has experienced growing technical barriers over the past few years, Gong and his colleagues have needed to redouble their efforts in training professional personnel.

First, however, startups must reduce the talent gap and attract university students in China to work for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rather than high-tech giants.

"We need to fully exploit the institutional advantages of our system," Gong said, suggesting more transparency and support from local governments in helping university students reshape their concept of employment.

According to Gong's colleagues, Xi'an's local government has been working to raise public awareness on the issue by organizing teams of innovative SMEs to participate in campus recruitment events at the city's major sci-tech universities.

Over the years, the Chinese government has vowed to facilitate collaborative innovation between firms, universities, and research institutes in a bid to support companies heading major science and technology programs. A market-oriented system for technological innovation in which enterprises are the main players has also been established.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)