GateWay Community College (GWCC), one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges, and Minghsin University of Science and Technology (MUST) have formed a first-of-its-kind partnership to advance academic excellence, workforce development, and cross-cultural engagement. Formalized during a signing ceremony in Taiwan, the agreement commits both institutions to preparing their students for successful careers in the global semiconductor industry.
The partnership announcement coincided with SEMICON® Taiwan, where an Arizona delegation led by Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), worked to deepen the educational connections between Arizona and Taiwan. The delegation of educators included Dr. Amy Diaz, GWCC President; Dr. Kimberly Britt, Maricopa Community Colleges Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost; and Valerie Jones, Maricopa Community Colleges Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development.
“Our partnership with MUST represents an exciting new era for GateWay and semiconductor training in Arizona and Taiwan,” said Dr. Diaz. “It gives us a chance to create more cross-cultural opportunities for our students and faculty—helping our campus community see the broader impact advanced manufacturing has on a global scale.”
Why It Matters
Arizona is emerging as a leader in semiconductor chip manufacturing. Today, the state ranks No. 1 for semiconductor growth and is home to major corporations like TSMC and Intel. To support the industry’s long-term success, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and the ACA invested $20 million in the state-of-the-art semiconductor-focused Future48 Workforce Accelerator. Opening in January 2027 at GWCC’s Central City, the accelerator will serve as the statewide hub for semiconductor workforce development.
“The rapid transformation of Arizona’s semiconductor industry comes with a greater need for both local and global talent,” said Dr. Britt. “By working together with international leaders, Maricopa Community Colleges is taking the necessary steps to prepare our students to become the future-ready workforce Arizona is relying on.”
Through this partnership, students from both institutions will benefit from expanded access to intercultural experiences, language skills, and global perspectives, all of which are needed in today’s highly skilled workforce.
How It Works
To prepare students for global citizenship while also meeting the growing demand for internationally experienced semiconductor professionals, GWCC and MUST will collaborate on:
- Study abroad opportunities and short-term academic exchanges focused on the global semiconductor industry.
- Cultural immersion experiences in Arizona and Taiwan to promote cross-cultural understanding and professional development.
- Semiconductor summer camps and experiential learning opportunities.
- Faculty collaboration through the exchange of teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and emerging industry technologies.
- Participation in the International Industrial Talents Education (INTENSE) program and related initiatives.
- Joint recruitment efforts to attract and support international students, strengthening the semiconductor workforce pipeline.
“As Arizona’s largest workforce development provider, Maricopa Community Colleges is building a skilled talent pipeline the semiconductor industry needs to thrive,” said Ms. Jones. “Through our partnership with MUST, we are strengthening the connection between Arizona and Taiwan while fueling long-term economic growth.”
What’s Next
To support the partnership, GWCC and MUST will develop a Memorandum of Understanding. Once the Future48 Workforce Accelerator opens, GWCC will host delegations of MUST administrators, faculty, and industry partners to exchange in planning discussions, educational exchanges, training activities, and workforce initiatives. Additionally, both colleges will identify opportunities for faculty engagement, student participation, and industry partnerships.
Learn more about how Maricopa Community Colleges is shaping Arizona’s workforce at maricopa.edu/industry.