MediaTek chair wins IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal

Taipei, Dec. 2 (CNA) Tsai Ming-kai (蔡明介), chairman of smartphone IC designer MediaTek Inc., has won the IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal, one of the most prestigious medals in the global electronics industry, according to the company.

The medal has been often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Semiconductors.

Tsai has become the second Taiwanese tech heavyweight to win the award, which was set up by Intel Corp.'s co-founder Robert N. Noyce in 2000 to recognize contributions in a wide range of areas such as industry leadership, and the development of technology, business, technology policy and standards.

Morris Chang (張忠謀), founder of the world's largest contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), was the first Taiwanese tech guru to win the medal in 2000.

Citing the decision made by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), MediaTek said Tsai was recognized "for vision and leadership in the global semiconductor industry," and for "democratizing technology access for billions of people."

Tsai will receive the medal in person at the IEEE Honors Ceremony, which is slated for May 3, 2024 in Boston.

Under the leadership of Tsai, MediaTek has ranked as the fifth largest IC designer in the world, with about 2 billion new tech devices using the company's chips each year, benefiting consumers worldwide, the IC designer said in a statement.

"For decades I have witnessed the tremendous impact that tiny transistors have on our daily lives. It has been a privilege at MediaTek to usher in new innovations that billions of people can enjoy and help shape the future of our connected world," Tsai said in the statement.

"It has also been a pleasure to work closely with research institutions to inspire the next generation of engineers in Taiwan --where the integrated circuits industry has blossomed over the years --and around the world," Tsai said.

In response to Tsai's honor, Chang, who has been dubbed the godfather of Taiwan's semiconductor industry, said the medal is an extremely important award and holds a special place in the global semiconductor industry.

Chang said he was delighted by the recognition of Tsai, praising him as "a key figure in the establishment of Taiwan's IC design industry, leading MediaTek to become a significant company in the global semiconductor industry."

"His contributions are truly exceptional," Chang said.

Meanwhile, TSMC Chairman Mark Liu (劉德音) said in the statement that his company has become a long-term foundry partner with MediaTek and witnessed how Tsai "built a company with an engrained culture of innovation and embracing change as well as a deep understanding of customers' evolving needs."