At the opening ceremony of the 7th China Graduate Student IC Innovation Contest ("China Optics Valley·Huawei Cup"), Ye Tianchun, Deputy Director and Secretary-General of China Integrated Circuit Innovation Alliance, emphasized the importance of innovation for the development of the integrated circuit (IC) industry and the critical role of talent cultivation in industry development. He expressed confidence that China will emerge victorious in the global IC competition.

ICs are characterized by technology intensity, talent density, and capital intensity. Innovation lies at the core of ICs, and talent is paramount for industry development. In all aspects of IC innovation, graduate students play a pivotal role.

Ye Tianchun stated, "Innovation is the lifeblood of the IC industry's development."

Currently, the world is undergoing unprecedented changes, with a focal point on global IC competition. China faces immense international pressure, while the United States, Japan, and Europe are rebuilding their IC industry ecosystems. This is essentially a competition of national strength, with innovation at its core. The development path based on Moore's Law has encountered bottlenecks globally, and the industry is facing new transformations and opportunities. Coupled with competition among nations, innovation is required across various technical paths and niche markets.

To achieve self-reliance and innovation with Chinese characteristics in the IC industry, China must pursue comprehensive innovation from macro to micro levels. From path innovation to technical innovation, China aims to forge a new IC innovation ecosystem centered on itself and carve out an innovative path unique to China's IC industry.

Every aspect, from system applications, manufacturing processes, packaging and testing, equipment, materials, to components, necessitates innovation beyond mere substitution. It's about transcending existing paradigms, fostering new definitions, and cultivating new ecosystems and technical systems with superior products.

Ye Tianchun noted that while advanced process technologies require breakthroughs, mature processes also necessitate innovation. The goal is to elevate products from low-end to high-end and even introduce new product definitions tailored for future applications, thereby driving the development of downstream application industries with better products.

Centered on design, the China Graduate Student IC Innovation Contest covers every aspect, from circuits to analog, RF, mixed-signal, and more. Participants must contemplate novel ideas for applications, product structures, and even new circuit algorithms and transistor-saving design methodologies, all of which constitute innovation. Ye Tianchun emphasized that industry innovation stems from myriad small innovations, where graduate students, particularly those currently enrolled, hold a unique advantage. In their twenties and thirties, they exude creativity and are prone to generating novel concepts spontaneously.

He said, "Many people repeatedly ask: Can China win in the global IC competition? The answer is yes, undoubtedly, because China has talent empowerment. With the world's largest pool of undergraduate and graduate students, these innovative forces entering the industry have every reason to triumph in the competition."

Lastly, Ye Tianchun expressed his earnest hopes for the students: "Having embarked on the noble path of the IC industry, you must remain true to your original aspirations and missions, daring to forge new paths and strive for victory. In your daily work and innovations, I urge you to embody a spirit of perseverance, skepticism towards superstitions, and a willingness to surpass your mentors. Embark on your unique paths, and embrace such innovation. I believe that with your continued efforts, the IC industry will undoubtedly reach the forefront of the world. I place my hopes on you for the next 10, 15, or even 20 years."

The finals of the 7th China Graduate Student IC Innovation Contest ("China Optics Valley·Huawei Cup") were held from August 13 to 17, 2024, at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The on-site finals gathered over 160 outstanding master's and doctoral student teams from across China, as well as over 600 participants, including deans, faculty members from IC schools, and representatives from renowned companies in the industry. The contest integrates resources from various parties to foster a deeply integrated innovation ecosystem for industry, academia, and research. It provides a vast stage for the growth of high-end talent, nurturing their growth through collaborative innovation and driving industrial progress.