National University of Singapore(NUS) is joining forces with Applied Materials and Micron to secure the future workforce of the domestic semiconductor industry. Under an agreement signed at the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association Summit, standout students in the NUS Master of Science in Semiconductor Technology & Operations program will receive direct industry backing through scholarships, internships and job placements upon graduation.
Funded jointly by the two tech giants, the pilot program will select four local scholars annually to receive tuition support alongside practical project experience. Organizers expect to eventually scale the initiative to support 10 to 20 scholars per cohort and expand into other semiconductor programs and university partnerships.
This talent drive comes as artificial intelligence and electric vehicle adoption push the global semiconductor market toward a projected US30 billion in sector investments between 2022 and 2025. The country currently produces one in 10 semiconductor chips and a fifth of all semiconductor equipment globally, making a steady pipeline of skilled workers critical to maintaining its market dominance.
Professor Aaron Thean, Deputy President of Academic Affairs and Provost at NUS, said combining rigorous academic training with expert industry mentorship will rapidly deliver the professionals needed to power the next phase of manufacturing innovation and solidify Singapore as a global hub.
The MSc STO is a multidisciplinary track hosted by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. It operates in direct collaboration with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management. Students also gain exposure to cutting edge development through major campus initiatives like the Singapore Hybrid-Integrated Next-Generation µ-Electronics (SHINE) Centre.
Available to both STEM graduates and working professionals, the coursework covers the complete industry value chain from materials and device manufacturing to packaging and supply chain management.
The program offers specialized pathways in AI training and experiential learning to prepare graduates for immediate engineering and leadership roles across foundries and equipment suppliers.
Leadership Comments
Joshua Lee, Corporate Vice President and Singapore Country Manager at Micron Technology, said, “At Micron, we are committed to developing Singapore’s next generation of local semiconductor talent. We believe that talent is one of the most critical enablers of semiconductor advancement. By connecting academic learning with real-world industry experience, this partnership will help aspiring talent develop the expertise and skills needed to support the industry’s future growth and innovation in Singapore.”
“One of the biggest challenges facing our industry is not a lack of opportunities, but making sure more people can see a future for themselves in semiconductors. Through this partnership, we are giving students firsthand exposure to an industry that touches nearly every aspect of modern life, while helping them discover where their strengths can contribute to the technologies of tomorrow,” said Mr Brian Tan, Regional President, Southeast Asia, of Applied Materials.
To Know More: CLICK HERE
