In an era dominated by technological advancements, the importance of semiconductor technology is para-mount.
At last month's SEMICON SEA conference, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim outlined a vision for Malaysia's semiconductor future, emphasising the creation of an ecosystem driven by dynamic local firms, world-class talent and global partnerships for innovation and creativity.
Malaysia aspires to become a global semiconductor hub, focusing on semiconductor research and development.
The National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), led by the National Semiconductor Strategic Task Force, details three phases to reinforce the semiconductor industry:
PHASE 1: Building on the foundation, focusing on boosting packaging technology, expanding fabrication set-ups, and developing local chip design champions in support of the outsourced semiconductor assem-bly and test (Osat).
The government aims to attract at least RM500 billion in investments for Phase 1;
PHASE 2: To integrate advancements from Phase 1 with cutting-edge logic, and memory-chip
design and fabrication to attract advanced chip manufacturers; and,
PHASE 3: Support and intensify the development of world-class Malaysian semiconductor design, packaging and manufacturing equipment.
Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong highlighted the strategic role of the government, which is to move beyond private investments to involve ministries, research bodies, multinational corporations and universities.
Malaysia has its own semiconductor hub in Penang, which has a full semiconductor ecosystem with fabless chip design companies, full foundries, the Osat, and large semiconductor equipment suppliers.
More foreign direct investments (FDI) are being made and the supply chain is being enhanced, creating a diverse and solid semiconductor ecosystem.
The three phases need more talent, so the nation has set its goals in training 60,000 engineers, offering competitive wages to support Malaysia's ambition.
This is where Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) plays a role in providing a quality talent pool to fulfil Phase 1.
UniMAP offers 25 undergraduate programmes in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector, producing over 3,500 graduates annually.
Our electronic and microelectronic programme has specific and general courses encompassing the semiconductor ecosystem.
At the design stage, we have VLSI, Digital & Analogue IC, Embedded System Design as well as System on Chip. Students are required to apply Electronic Design Automation tools, such as cadence and synopsis for their IC chip design.
Students also gain in-house knowledge of the microfabrication process used in semiconductor pure play foundries.
They apply photolithography technology to etch patterns in silicon wafers for creating individual transistors and other semiconductor components at our cleanroom laboratory.
Diploma and bachelor programmes use the cleanroom facility to hone microfabrication technique to perfection.
We have programmes that support the material and supporting equipment of the semiconductor supply chain, such as materials, manufacturing, mechatronics and automation academic programmes.
It is evident that our E&E area encompasses the supply chain.
Our curriculum is designed with industry experts through partnerships with multinational companies (MNCs).
Through initiatives like CEO@Faculty, Adjunct Industry Professors and Industrial Advisory Panels, we maintain strong ties with key industry players for our semiconductor academic curriculum.
UniMAP's partnerships provide students with industry-relevant research projects and internships.
Collaborations with fabless design houses offer students industrial placements as well as industry-driven IC chip design projects to be completed.
Our Centre of Excellence, such as CoE Micro System Technology and CoE Geopolymer & Green Technology, has formed partnerships with semicon giants where we recently collaborated on enhancing advanced chip packaging.
These research activities will solidify Phase 2 and 3 of the NSS, for example, innovating the semiconductor packaging process.
UniMAP ensures high employability for graduates through programmes like the Northern Industrial Career Engagement.
According to the Graduate Tracer Study 2023, more than 97 per cent of our graduates secured jobs within six months, many joining semiconductor MNCs.
Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai acknowledged the fierce war for talent.
UniMAP remains dedicated to driving innovation and excellence in semiconductor higher education.
* The writer is vice-chancellor, Universiti Malaysia Perlis