Jun 22, 2011 
Screen printing market leader, DEK, and Tsinghua Flextronics SMT Laboratory today jointly presented the first group of Tsinghua DEK SMT scholarships. The scholarship program, which started this year, is an industry first in mainland China and has been awarded to 15 outstanding students from Tsinghua University.
The scholarship presentation ceremony was held at Tsinghua University, where DEK management personnel, Tsinghua University professors, and Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) China President, Mr. Abby Tsoi, awarded the scholarships to the winning students.
In his congratulatory remarks, Professor Li Shuangshou, Director of the Fundamental Industrial Training Centre of Tsinghua University, said, “This year marked the 100th anniversary of Tsinghua University, which has been the cradle of many leaders and entrepreneurs in China. We believe the presentation of the SMT scholarship today will set a new milestone in our pursuit of developing the best people for China.”
Professor Li continued: “While Tsinghua University is one of the leading universities in the world, DEK is an unequivocal market leader in the SMT industry. By joining our hands together, we are in a better position to develop the skills of people who can rise to the challenges in today’s highly competitive environment. We are looking forward to more collaboration with DEK in the years ahead.”
Mr Peland Koh, Director of DEK’s Electronics Assembly Business, explained the significance of this program: “As a leader in screen printing equipment and processes, DEK attributes today’s success to the combined efforts of all of our staff, and that includes providing training and development opportunities for potential DEK team members as well. We believe this important joint program with Tsinghua University is beneficial for the entire industry and, as a leader in the screen printing market in China, DEK is committed to lending our full support to cultivate local talent.”
As an association with an educational mission, SMTA China’s Mr. Tsoi is delighted that this pioneering program has been implemented. “The objective of the Tsinghua DEK SMT scholarship is completely aligned with SMTA China’s educational and development goals and we, therefore, wholeheartedly support this initiative,” commented Tsoi. “Looking ahead, we are more than happy to see additional joint actions among high schools, corporations and industry associations to develop local talents to sustain the growth of the SMT industry and the economy of China.”
The Tsinghua DEK SMT scholarship officially launched in 2011, with a view to encouraging and recognizing potential students who have achieved excellent academic results and are well-prepared to join the SMT industry. Designed for students taking SMT courses in Tsinghua University, the judging criteria of the scholarship are based on students’ academic performance as well as an overall assessment of their personal attributes including integrity, team spirit, innovation and capability.
The judging panel comprises professors from Tsinghua University, along with representatives from DEK and the SMT industry. A total of 15 students received the scholarships and they are as follows: Zhang Tiancheng (1st prize); Zhang Naicheng, Guo Longxiang, Lin Yulong, and Lian Yun (2nd prize); Shen Weiran, Zhang Jiangdie, Liu Yimin, Dai Guohao, Peng Jianjun, Lin Yinjie, Liu Peng, Chen Chang, Qiu Dongli and Zhang Mingda (3rd prize).
DEK is a global provider of advanced materials deposition technologies and support solutions including printing equipment platforms, stencils, precision screens and mass imaging processes used across a wide range of applications in electronics pre-placement subassembly, semiconductor wafer manufacture, and alternative energy component production.
