Samsung Electronics (CEO Han Jong-hee, Gyeonggi-hyun) signed an agreement with three science and technology institutes (Ulsan, Daegu, and Gwangju) to establish a semiconductor contract division to strengthen the national semiconductor ecosystem and contribute to balanced regional development systematically cultivating semiconductor experts. It was published on the 27th.
Accordingly, Samsung Electronics, Ulsan Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Daegu Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) plan to select new students from the second half of this year and operate departments contract from March next year.
The number of people selected is 100 annually, including 40 UNIST, 30 DGIST, and 30 GIST.
The newly established Semiconductor Contract Department is implemented as the first ‘integrated undergraduate and graduate semiconductor contract department’ course that integrates undergraduate and master’s education, and the training period is a total of 5 years.
In particular, as the importance of semiconductor process technology for breaking through the limits of semiconductor miniaturization increases, the training courses of the three newly established local semiconductor contract departments focus on semiconductor process control technology.
Students will receive ‘field education’ such as semiconductor cleanroom practice, and convergence classes such as semiconductor design and S/W to enhance creativity.
In addition to the existing semiconductor contract department, which was created to train semiconductor design and software specialists, three new contract departments were established to train process specialists. He said he had built a system to do it.
Chairman Lee Jae-yong emphasized the importance of nurturing semiconductor talent and said, “We must grow together with the local community. Let’s prepare for the future more boldly and more actively in difficult and difficult times.”
In addition, according to this agreement, the number of semiconductor contract departments operated by Samsung Electronics with domestic universities has increased to seven nationwide. Starting with Sungkyunkwan University in 2006, he has operated semiconductor contract departments with Yonsei University (’21), KAIST (’22), and Pohang University of Science and Technology (’23).
Samsung Electronics provides opportunities for students to practice as interns in the semiconductor industry, and Samsung Electronics employees also participate as mentors. In addition, full tuition is covered, scholarships are provided, and employment is guaranteed in Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor division upon graduation as a contract student.
Some of the existing contract departments, which trained 260 semiconductor specialists every year, also plan to expand their quota, and from 2029, when students from the new contract department graduate, 450 semiconductor specialist talents are expected -conductors to be produced from 7 semiconductor contract departments. every year.
In addition, it is expected that by cultivating local semiconductor experts, the ‘metropolitan area’ of excellent talent will be alleviated, and a system can be realized where the ecosystem of the semiconductor industry in areas other than the metropolitan area grows with each other.
Meanwhile, on the 27th, Samsung Electronics, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST held an agreement ceremony to establish semiconductor contract departments in Gwangju, Daegu, and Ulsan, which was attended by company and school officials, heads of local governments, and members’ the National Assembly.
Song Jae-hyeok, CTO of Samsung Electronics’ DS division, said, “Following Seoul, Daejeon, and Pohang, we have established a foundation to systematically cultivate semiconductor talent in Daegu, Gwangju, and Ulsan. This will greatly assist in continuously securing talent worthy of its status as a semiconductor powerhouse and achieving balanced regional development.”
Park Rae-gil, Acting President of GIST, said, “I hope that the Semiconductor Contracts Department will be of great help to the balanced regional development of Korea’s semiconductor industry and to foster creative talent. We will contribute to revitalizing the local economy through active collaboration so that GIST’s excellent educational and research resources and Samsung Electronics’ world-class technology can create synergies.”
DGIST President Kuk Yang said, “DGIST will cultivate global semiconductor experts who will lead technological innovation in the industrial field by utilizing Korea’s world-class semiconductor research and education infrastructure. DGIST’s semiconductor experts will be the basis for creating new industries in the region.”
UNIST President Lee Yong-hoon said, “We expect that the newly established Department of Semiconductor Contracts together with the Graduate School of Semiconductor Materials and Components and the Next Generation Semiconductor Research Center, which opened in 2021, plays a significant role. . Since the opening of UNIST, Ulsan’s R&D index has risen and Ulju-gun’s population has increased by 15%, contributing to regional development.”
Reporter Lim Dae-jun ydj@aitimes.com
