Proactively Thinking for Others
In 2023, MERRY's donations in Taiwan reached 3.138 million TWD, which included initiatives for reading education promotion, audio education development research, arts development for people with disabilities, micro-hearing impairment advocacy, and hearing protection activities.
MERRY has been investing in electroacoustic industry experts and donating top-notch equipment to cultivate front-end technical talents.
MERRY recognizes the close relationship between electroacoustics and human life. However, the systematic cultivation of domestic electroacoustic talents is relatively lacking. To address this gap, MERRY collaborated with Feng Chia University to establish the "Master's Program in Electroacoustics" in 2006, the first program in Taiwan dedicated to the field of electroacoustics. MERRY donated equipment to help establish the internationally renowned "MERRY Electric Acoustic Laboratory (MEA Lab)," which officially commenced operations in 2008. This lab is the first collaborative electroacoustic laboratory in the country, equipped with both full and semi-anechoic chambers.
MERRY and Feng Chia University have maintained a long-term close cooperation in talent cultivation and research and development. MERRY's chairman and relevant executives continue to serve as industry mentors. In 2023, a total of 11 courses were offered at Feng Chia University, covering topics such as acoustics and its applications, innovative development processes for electroacoustic technology products, enterprise organizational operations, headset design and testing, and the promotion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) extended to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, aiming for mutual benefit.
In 2023, MERRY also sponsored Feng Chia University in researching and developing the miniaturization of TWS (True Wireless Stereo) antennas, hoping to accelerate research and product development in the field of electroacoustics through mutual collaboration. This initiative aims to cultivate more outstanding talents in electroacoustics. The total expenditure for this sponsorship was 1 million Taiwanese dollars. MERRY also looks forward to providing more innovative industry-academia collaboration projects in the future to create mutual success.
Industry-Academia Collaboration
Since 2022, MERRY has engaged in in-depth industry-academia collaboration with Feng Chia University. In 2023, the plan will expand to National Chung Hsing University, also located in central Taiwan. The R&D supervisor will serve as a project mentor, guiding students on audio-related topics for a six-month period, leading them to a deeper understanding of the audio field. Additionally, MERRY organizes headphone-making workshops on campus, with employees volunteering to guide students in practical exercises, fostering interest in the audio industry. In the future, MERRY will continue to develop diverse industry-academia collaboration projects, such as audio program partnerships and internship initiatives, while expanding partnerships with more schools and students.
Category | School | Number of Participants | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
Industry cooperation | Feng Chia University | 13 | 2022.07-2023.07 |
Industry cooperation | National Chung Hsing University | 6 | 2023.07-2024.12 |
Industry cooperation | Feng Chia University | 4 | 2023.08-2024.12 |
The only Electroacoustic Thesis Award in Taiwan, with the first participation from the Institute of Biomedical Informatics and Biomedical Engineering
Since 2010, MERRY has been investing over a million NT dollars annually to host the "Electroacoustic Thesis Award" selection event. In 2023, it marked the 14th year of this event. With the development of telemedicine, teleconferencing, and automotive electronics, more people are awakening to new perspectives on the electroacoustic industry. This liberation of electroacoustics from acoustic devices allows its application in various industries. From 2010 to 2023, a total of 93 outstanding newcomers have been awarded the Electroacoustic Thesis Award. The award-winning students, their advising professors, and the evaluation committee members are all prominent figures in the domestic acoustics-related fields. Students from various departments, including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Communication, Shipbuilding Engineering, Electroacoustics, Audiology, Acoustics, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanics, Materials Science, Architecture, and Environmental Science, can participate by submitting excellent theses related to acoustics at the master's or doctoral level, competing for substantial cash prizes. In 2023, for the first time, students from the Institute of Biomedical Informatics and Bio - medical Engineering were nominated.
Master's Program in Audio Engineering
MERRY recognizes the close relationship between audio engineering and human life, yet there is a relative lack of systematic resources for cultivating audio talent in Taiwan. To build a talent pool in this field, MERRY partnered with Feng Chia University to establish the "Master's Degree Program in Audio Engineering" in 2006, the first program in Taiwan focused on audio engineering. MERRY donated equipment to assist in the establishment of the international-level "MERRY Audio Laboratory (MEA Lab)," which officially opened in 2008 and is the first audio laboratory in the nation for industry-academia collaboration (including full/half anechoic chambers). MERRY and Feng Chia University's audio program have maintained long-term close cooperation in talent cultivation and R&D technology. MERRY's chairman and relevant supervisors have served as guest lecturers for many years, shaping this program into the most comprehensive audio education institution in terms of faculty, curriculum, and hardware/software resources, continuously nurturing numerous outstanding talents and R&D achievements over the years.
Audio Technology Forum
Since 2012, MERRY engineers have held "Audio Technology Forums" at domestic universities to share future trends in the audio industry. The forum covers four main themes—R&D, materials, design, and software—sparking students' interest and attention in the audio field. Engineers also share their experiences transitioning from campus to the workplace. Since its implementation in 2012 through 2022, the program has engaged with 93 departments, involving over 5,290 students.
Technology Talent Development Program
MERRY believes that talent cultivation should be long-term and systematic. Outstanding students receiving corporate assistance during their studies can focus more on research and transition directly from school to the workplace, allowing for early career planning. Companies can also reserve future talent by interacting with students ahead of time. The Technology Talent Development Fund is open for applications from all public and private universities in Taiwan for relevant departments such as audio engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, mechanical engineering, control, shipping, materials, computer science, communications, aerospace, marine, systems engineering, and industrial engineering. Selected applicants receive an annual scholarship of NT$120,000 from MERRY and can participate in internship programs to gain practical experience and connect with the industry early.
Since the 2011 academic year, MERRY has implemented the "Technology Talent Development Fund" program, now entering its 12th year. It is open to graduate students and five-year integrated master's students in Taiwan. Selected outstanding students not only receive scholarships but also have opportunities for practical exchanges through internships, allowing them to become familiar with the audio industry ahead of time. After graduation or completing their service, they can directly enter MERRY for employment, applying what they have learned. In 2023, four outstanding students were admitted, bringing the total to 121 applicants and 59 accepted over the past 13 years, with an acceptance rate of 48.76%. The fund can be renewed for one additional year during their studies, and among past recipients, 10 have renewed. Aside from those still studying or serving, 39 outstanding students have chosen to join MERRY directly after graduation.