Edited by Chance Lai

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), together with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), Terre des hommes (Tdh) Ukraine and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), held an educational summer camp in western Ukraine from August 10 to 12, 2026, introducing young people to artificial intelligence and semiconductor technology.

The “PLAY CHIP Summer Camp: Belight AI Semiconductor,” held in Kamianets-Podilskyi, combined hands-on activities with accessible science education. The program was designed to help Ukrainian youth understand emerging technologies while fostering confidence, hope and resilience in communities affected by the ongoing conflict.

At the opening ceremony, TaiwanICDF said the initiative brought together Taiwan’s expertise in semiconductor technology and its commitment to humanitarian assistance, giving Ukrainian children and young people a valuable opportunity to explore AI and chip technology.

TaiwanICDF added that it hoped the experience would inspire creativity, strengthen participants’ confidence in facing the future and contribute to the long-term resilience and sustainable development of local communities.

Tdh representatives said the camp combined a safe, in-person learning environment with technology education and mental health and psychosocial support, or MHPSS. Through interactive activities, participants developed essential digital skills while gradually rebuilding a sense of security and optimism about the future.

The partnership with TaiwanICDF and NYCU also enabled international STEM education resources to reach local communities in Ukraine, expanding access to educational support, Tdh said.

Training Local Educators for Lasting Impact

A central feature of the program was its “train-the-trainer” model, which focused on preparing local educators and adapting teaching materials to the Ukrainian context.

Before the camp, two Ukrainian NYCU students, Anna Kompan and Polina Sybirtseva, completed instructor training in Taiwan. They then translated and localized the university-developed “Belight AI Semiconductor” learning platform and instructional materials featuring the Rabboni interactive motion-sensing device.

On the first day of the camp, Kompan and Sybirtseva trained 10 local Ukrainian teachers, equipping them to continue delivering the educational content in their own communities.

Over the following two days, 21 Ukrainian students aged 11 and older took part in intensive, hands-on workshops covering the chip manufacturing process, the fundamentals of transistor operation, Scratch programming, interdisciplinary STEM applications and the development of interactive games using Rabboni motion sensors.

Working in teams, the students used software and digital equipment to complete a series of practical challenges. On the final day, each group presented a digital project it had developed, demonstrating creativity, collaboration and the ability to apply newly acquired technical skills.

Participants described learning how chips work and using sensors to build interactive programs as an unforgettable experience. They said the camp not only introduced them to new technologies but also encouraged them to imagine new possibilities for their futures.

From University Research to Global Community Engagement

The camp brought AI and semiconductor learning materials developed by NYCU into a conflict-affected community, highlighting the university’s efforts in technology education, cross-cultural talent development and university social responsibility.

After completing their training in Taiwan, Kompan and Sybirtseva took an active role in translating course materials, adapting lessons and teaching on-site. Their transition from students to instructors made them an important bridge between Taiwan and Ukraine.

By training local educators and supporting locally delivered instruction, NYCU and its partners transformed specialized knowledge in semiconductors, AI and interactive technology into accessible learning experiences for young people. The model is designed to be sustainable and scalable, allowing the program’s impact to continue beyond the three-day camp.

The partnership also demonstrated how Taiwan’s experience in technology education can cross geographical boundaries and support communities affected by conflict, helping teachers and young people strengthen their digital literacy, practical technology skills and confidence in the future.

NYCU said it will continue to deepen cooperation with partners in Taiwan and abroad, promote the sharing of technology education resources, and cultivate professionals with technical expertise, international perspectives, and a commitment to social responsibility.

Through its academic knowledge and capacity for innovation, the university aims to make a positive contribution to global sustainable development and social well-being.