NTHU and Novatek signed a collaborative research agreement on July 22, 2009, to develop a forward-looking technology, System on a Chip (SoC). Novatek is the sponsor of NTHU's newly installed System on a Chip Laboratory and the joint effort is expected to combine resources from industry and university to engage in a long-term collaboration to develop advanced technologies.

At the signing ceremony, President Chen first brought the audience's attention to NTHU's endeavor in nurturing advanced technology researchers and industry elites. As part of this venture, NTHU installed the Design Technology Center to research and develop innovative, forward-looking and leading IC designs and testing technologies. Using education and research resources provided by the Ministry of Education and National Science Council, NTHU has for a number of years collaborated with international research institutes and major companies in industry. Many of the technologies developed have already been transferred to the industry. NTHU has also built a powerful international research collaboration network during the process. President Chen sees the System on a Chip Laboratory as an exciting collaborative project that will lead to promising new technologies.

Novatek Chairman Mr. Tai-Shung Ho emphasized that the SoC research and development requires an integration of system application, calculation analysis, prototype design, imbedded software design, chip integration, analog and digital circuit design as well as automated design and testing. In addition, the current trend for portable and multimedia products is in energy-saving and low power solutions. This presents an enormous challenge for system chip design and manufacturing.