Towards Asia's Leading Semiconductor Technology Training Center

Regarding this content, Thanh Nien reporter had an interview with Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Hai Quan ( photo ), Director of Ho Chi Minh City National University, about the Program to develop Ho Chi Minh City National University (HCMC National University) into a leading training, research, startup and innovation center in Asia in the field of semiconductor technology in the period 2023-2030, with a vision to 2045 (abbreviated as the program).

DEVELOPING THE MICROCHIP INDUSTRY IS URGENT

Why does VNU-HCM have a policy to implement this project, sir?

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Hai Quan

Without mastering the technology of manufacturing semiconductor components and microchips, Vietnam cannot create electronic products with high intellectual content and high added value, and even less can it create new products with technological breakthroughs for different purposes.

International experience shows that the development of the semiconductor industry has an important contribution role of universities and research institutes. In the country, based on the Party's policies and the Government 's strategic orientation, many centers, laboratories, research groups and microchip training programs have been established in recent times.

In 2005, VNU-HCM established the IC Design and Training Center (ICDREC) with the mission of training, researching, and mastering a number of core technologies. The ICDREC has researched, designed, and manufactured 8-bit SG8v1 microprocessor chips, 32-bit VN1632 microprocessor chips, and a number of IP cores for data security applications.

In 2018, VNU-HCM invested more than 60 billion VND to establish the Microchip and High Frequency System Laboratory at the University of Technology. In 2024, VNU-HCM will continue to invest about 80 billion VND in 2 new laboratories on semiconductor microchip technology at the University of Natural Sciences and the University of Information Technology, with many modern equipment, creating conditions to attract and gather good scientists and microchip experts at home and abroad, improve research capacity and publish scientific works, meet the development needs of the microchip industry nationwide.

In addition, within the framework of the University Education Innovation Cooperation project funded by USAID (United States Agency for International Development) with a total budget of 15 million USD, lasting for 5 years from 2022 - 2026, VNU-HCM is asking a number of leading US universities to support the innovation of the microchip design training program.

Thus, it can be seen that the development of the Vietnamese microchip industry by domestic resources to increase the added value of domestic electronic products and contribute to promoting the economy, ensuring national security and defense is very urgent. This is also the reason why VNU-HCM advocates implementing this project.

Microchip design training activities at member schools of VNU-HCM

TRAINING OVER 1,500 ENGINEERS AND 500 MASTERS IN MICROCUIT DESIGN

What specific goals does VNU-HCM aim for when implementing this project?

Regarding training, VNU-HCM sets the goal of providing in-depth training in microchip design to meet the demand for high-quality human resources for the development of the microchip industry in Vietnam and the world. Develop a framework for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate training programs in microchip design and deploy training for over 1,500 engineers and 500 masters in the period 2023 - 2030. Develop a modern training program to grant industrial and international certificates in microchip design to 15,000 engineers. Develop a training and research strategy for the period 2030 - 2045 to ensure resources for the successful and sustainable development of the microchip industry in Vietnam.

Regarding research, the goal of VNU-HCM is to build a Semiconductor Research Institute as a focal point for developing strong research groups and laboratories serving training and in-depth, modern research in the field of microchips, promoting experimental manufacturing, scientific research, international publications and patents, mastering a number of core technologies. Thereby, developing a network of lecturers and experts through international cooperation, business cooperation, technology transfer and establishing technology startups in the field of semiconductor microchip design.

POLICIES TO ATTRACT TALENTED PEOPLE

Could you tell us what are the strengths and advantages of building this program?

Firstly, from the orientation of developing the microchip industry of the Government and Ho Chi Minh City, over the years, VNU-HCM has formed and developed centers, research groups and undergraduate, postgraduate and short-term training programs on microchip design. In particular, in the development strategy for the period 2021 - 2030, VNU-HCM prioritizes developing training programs in a number of key areas, including the field of semiconductor technology.

VNU-HCM has also proactively promoted cooperation with major universities with strengths in training microchip design in the Asian region (Korea, Taiwan, Japan) to complete the training and research program framework in the field of microchip design, and at the same time, implemented investment in building and upgrading modern, specialized laboratories in this field to serve experts and learners at VNU-HCM in particular and the southern region in general.

Training facilities under the National University of Ho Chi Minh City have many years of experience in training and specialized research. In the fields of mathematics, information technology, telecommunications electronics, and automation, there are approximately 6,000 bachelors and engineers graduating each year; the team of lecturers and research experts are formally trained and have good connections with many large enterprises in the field of microchip design in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, many foreign microchip and semiconductor technology enterprises are currently investing heavily in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City, pushing up the demand for human resources in the microchip design industry in the next 10-15 years.

Ho Chi Minh City National University builds an advanced undergraduate and postgraduate training program framework for microchip design and will train over 1,500 engineers and 500 masters in the 2023-2030 period.

To achieve the above goals, what specific mechanisms and policies does VNU-HCM have to attract talented human resources to study and participate in research?

In the immediate future, VNU-HCM will create conditions for member schools to open a pilot program in IC design (undergraduate and postgraduate training levels), and at the same time, cooperate in training masters and doctoral degrees with large, prestigious universities in IC design training. In addition, there are support policies for lecturers and experts in IC design, especially attracting domestic and international experts to participate in training in this field. For learners, the admission policy aims to attract talented students to participate in IC design. Especially the scholarship policy for postgraduate students, due to the long training time and practical requirements of the training industry.

In scientific research, priority will be given to funding support for topics on microchip design; support the establishment and development of strong research groups, cooperation with industrial and international experts for research and experimental manufacturing. In addition, the policy supports experimental manufacturing through the MPW (Multi-Project Wafer) service because learners need practical practice to improve design experience.

The global microchip industry is expected to reach approximately $1,921.42 billion by 2032.

The global semiconductor industry is making strong strides. The global integrated circuit market revenue is estimated at 562.53 billion USD in 2022 and is expected to reach about 1,921.42 billion USD in 2032. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest rate.

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