Dresden International School (DIS) is expanding its campus in anticipation of an influx of Taiwanese students tied to TSMC’s planned semiconductor plant in the eastern German city.

TSMC’s Dresden fab is expected to begin operations in 2027, bringing Taiwanese engineers and their families to the region. The school, which teaches preschool through grade 12, anticipates 100 additional Taiwanese students to enroll this year, raising their share to one-fifth of the student body.

According to Sächsische Zeitung, a daily German newspaper, the school was founded around 30 years ago alongside the arrival of Dresden’s first wafer fabrication plant. The publication says the upcoming TSMC facility has now become a key driver behind the school’s latest expansion.

DIS Principal James Brightman said the school has long sought to build a multifunctional space to serve its 454 students. He said the TSMC developments have provided an opportunity to enhance the campus facilities.

The new building will include an auditorium, music classroom, additional parking spaces, and three classrooms. They expect the US$9 million project, funded through the government and private donations, to be completed by the end of 2026.

The school will also adapt its curriculum for the incoming Taiwanese students, Brightman said, adding that the school began offering classes taught in Mandarin last year for native speakers. He said several colleagues have also visited schools in Taiwan to understand local teaching styles and learning approaches better as they prepare for the changes ahead.