Operation of Semiconductor Joint Research Centers at Four Regional National Universities... Expectation for Talent Development

Project Call for Designation and Operation of Regional Semiconductor Joint Research Centers

The government, Seoul National University, and national universities are joining forces to cultivate semiconductor talent.

On the 6th, the Ministry of Education announced that it will hold a project competition to designate and operate regional semiconductor joint research centers at national universities located outside the metropolitan area, which will perform core functions in semiconductor education and research.

The project application period is from the 6th to the 27th, and the final selection will be made through a first round of document evaluation and a second round of on-site evaluation based on the project plans submitted by each national university, reviewed by a project selection committee.

This project is a follow-up measure to the "Semiconductor Talent Cultivation Plan" announced in July last year. It was prepared to respond to the rapidly changing semiconductor market and to resolve the shortage of manpower in the industry by establishing semiconductor-based infrastructure capable of performing education, research, and practical training functions.

The regional semiconductor joint research centers will provide systematic, practice-oriented education and training for direct semiconductor manufacturing and develop and operate high-quality educational programs that will lead semiconductor talent cultivation.

They are also expected to establish a system for sharing educational resources within the region by building specialized education and practical training environments in semiconductor fields.

The existing Seoul National University Semiconductor Joint Research Center, with over 30 years of operational experience, will serve as a hub for semiconductor research and education. Additionally, to ensure smooth project execution by the regional semiconductor joint research centers, it will share methods for selecting and installing equipment, operational know-how, personnel training, and practical opportunities, thereby establishing a collaborative system for sustainable operation of semiconductor joint research centers.

The Ministry of Education plans to begin designing the regional semiconductor joint research centers this year, complete construction by 2025, and support essential equipment installation in the centers based on joint industry-academia utilization after completion.

With the establishment of regional semiconductor joint research centers, it is expected that the demand for semiconductor education and research in the regions will be met, helping to alleviate the concentration of semiconductor major students in the metropolitan area and the shortage of manpower in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, stated, "With the designation and operation of regional semiconductor joint research centers at national universities, the Ministry of Education plans to intensively promote talent cultivation in advanced fields including semiconductors, which is a core task of the ministry," adding, "We will continue to support regional universities so that they can cultivate talent tailored to their regions."