Within the
framework of the
Sonora Sustainable Energy Plan
and particularly under the Human Talent Development axis, the Sonora State Government has launched the program: Sonora Talent Heading to Taiwan.
This effort responds to the vision of strengthening the technical and professional capacities of Sonora's youth in key areas for the state's energy transition and economic growth, such as:
Semiconductors
Electromovility
Automation
Clean energy
Since 2024, two calls for applications have been launched, enabling 60 engineering students, 30 participants per edition, to travel to Taiwan to receive specialized training at leading universities and technology centers. This experience directly contributes to strengthening the Sonora Plan ecosystem, which integrates strategic infrastructure such as the Port of Guaymas, the Puerto Peñasco solar plant, the airport and highway network, and proximity to the United States as competitive advantages for attracting global investment.
Objectives
Promote local talent
to meet labor demand in the semiconductor industry, electromobility, and technological innovation.
Strengthen the state's competitiveness
through academic training aligned with the Sonora Plan, the energy transition, and North American integration.
Promote the internationalization
of Sonora, strengthening ties with Taiwan as a strategic ally in education, science, and technology.
Governor's Initiative
Alfonso Durazo Montaño
“Anyone who works hard will have the opportunity to be part of this extraordinary program
My idea is that those who go there will connect with companies that will make them ambassadors here in Sonora, so that they can serve as a link to attract Taiwanese investment to the state of Sonora”,
Alfonso Durazo Montaño, Governor of Sonora. (March 21, 2025)
“We need human resources with an academic profile that meets the objectives of the Sonora Plan, which is to promote the energy transition and contribute to the decarbonization of the economy, but we also need you in addition to your academic training, to gain work experience, and through that work experience, you must connect with the company so that it adopts you as its ambassadors in Sonora.”,
Alfonso Durazo Montaño, Governon of Sonora. (June 8, 2024)
Sonora Students
in Taiwan:
PROMOTERS AND
AMBASSADORS
Students from Sonora in Taiwan are part of the Sonora Plan, a set of projects focused on the sustainable development of the state.
One of its four strategic areas is human talent, which promotes the training of professionals in key areas such as electromobility and semiconductors.
Their participation seeks to:
• Attract investment for the development of Sonora.
• Promote the state's culture and economy.
• Represent Sonora in universities and companies by making key contacts, showcasing its cultural and economic wealth, and generating opportunities for investment and collaboration.
Through these actions, students establish themselves as ambassadors for Sonora abroad, fostering relationships that will benefit both sides and returning with new knowledge, experiences, and opportunities. This contributes to the development of new engineering, better jobs, and a higher quality of life, training innovative and skilled talent from Sonora in the areas of greatest global demand.
Participating
Institutions
Participants:
30 students (25 men and 5 women) from different universities in Sonora.
Academic period:
August 2024 – June 2025
Iniversities in Taiwan:
• Tsing Hua University
• Cheng Kung University
• Southern Taiwan University
of Science and Technology
Specialization:
Automatización, electromovilidad y energías limpias
Participants:
30 students (18 men y 12 woman) fro different universities in Sonora
Academic period:
September 2025 – June 2026
Iniversities in Taiwan:
Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology
Specialization:
Automation, electromobility, and clean energy
Events
Taitronics & AIoT Taiwán 2024
On October 24, 2024, Sonora participated in TAITRONICS & AIoT Taiwan, one of Asia's most important technology fairs, where innovations in advanced electronics, AI, clean energy, and AIoT technology were presented.
The Sonora delegation was at the “Advancing Into Sonora Mexico” booth, promoting the Sonora Sustainable Energy Plan and generating contacts with potential investors. The experience reinforced Taiwan's relevance as a technology leader and highlighted opportunities for collaboration and development for Sonora.
Second Student Encounter
The Second Encounter of Sonoran Students Heading to Taiwan brought together 30 students from different regions of the state, who participated in an intensive six-day preparation before beginning their 10-month academic exchange in Taiwan, fully funded by the Government of Sonora. This space strengthened not only their academic formation but also their confidence and vision for the future.
A significant moment of the event was the presence of Governor Alfonso Durazo, who personally attended to motivate the students, recognize their efforts, and deliver the laptops they will use during their international stay. This tool, essential for their academic performance in Taiwan, also represents the Government of Sonora’s commitment to supporting and empowering the talent of its students.
ITRI Electromobility Training
In January 2025, the 30 students from the first generation participated in a two-week academic gathering at the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) facilities, where they devoted themselves intensively to learning about and analyzing new technologies, mainly related to electric vehicles and their applications.
This experience represented a deep immersion in innovation, allowing them to gain a practical understanding of Taiwan's advances in the automotive and energy industries, strengthening their knowledge and broadening their vision of the future of sustainable mobility.