During the Semiconductor Da Nang Day 2024 framework, on the afternoon of August 30, 2024, Assoc.Pro.Dr. Huynh Cong Phap, Rector of VKU, represented Danang’s educational institutions in presenting a report on “Training Human Resources in the Semiconductor Industry and Policy Proposals for Human Resource Development” at the “Da Nang City Semiconductor Human Resources Supply and Demand Connection Conference”.

Overview of the Da Nang City Semiconductor Human Resources Supply and Demand Connection Conference

The Semiconductor Da Nang Day 2024 attracted nearly 500 delegates from central ministries; diplomatic agencies; business associations; enterprises, investors, domestic and international educational institutions; experts, scientists; and central and local media agencies.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Huynh Cong Phap, Rector of VKU, represents Danang’s educational institutions, proposing solutions for attracting and developing semiconductor human resources

As the representative of leading semiconductor training institutions in Danang and the country, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Huynh Cong Phap delivered a presentation outlining the directions and some of the achievements in training and developing human resources to serve the semiconductor industry in the city. He also proposed policy solutions to attract and nurture talent from the perspective of universities over the past 10 months, since the city began implementing strategies to develop the semiconductor industry as a key area for the city’s future growth.

According to Assoc.Prof.Dr. Huynh Cong Phap, there are currently 38 educational institutions in the city offering information technology training, with an annual enrollment target of over 7,000 students. Among them, 6 institutions offer programs closely related to semiconductors, and 3 universities began enrolling students in semiconductor design in 2024, with a target of 200 students. It is expected to increase to 400 in 2025 and 600 in 2026. Thus, the city’s goal of training 1,500-2,000 semiconductor design engineers by 2030 is well within reach.

As a leading public university, VKU recognizes its responsibility and mission in training and providing high-quality human resources in semiconductors and artificial intelligence. VKU has actively implemented numerous activities and is a pioneer in completing procedures and announcing the enrollment of Semiconductor Design Engineers starting in 2024, with an expected training capacity of 600 to 1,000 engineers by 2028. Additionally, VKU has proactively invited industry experts to participate in the training process to enhance students’ soft skills, technological knowledge, and practical project experience. With an advanced and application-oriented training program, students learn technology-related subjects from their first and second years, along with enhanced English, Japanese, and Korean language skills. VKU has gradually built and is ready with a team of nearly 30 full-time faculty members in microelectronics, semiconductor technology, and computer engineering (sending three lecturers to Korea for PhD and Postdoc studies in semiconductors). It has also established the Semiconductor and Smart Technology Center with funding from a Korean ODA project (VND 10 billion), a new technology lab funded by Nam Long Group, and an IoT and semiconductor lab worth nearly VND 20 billion, expected to be operational by 2026, funded by the World Bank’s UD Project. Additionally, VKU has created research and innovation spaces, collaborated with DSAC Center, the Institute of Information Technology (VNU Hanoi), and Synopsys Corporation to train 25 lecturers in semiconductor design (first cohort) for the city, and conducted upskilling courses for 14 students in related fields. Notably, the 2024 enrollment for the Semiconductor Design Engineer program, with 60 slots, received significant attention from students and parents, with over 1,500 applications, and an entrance score of 27 points (based on the evaluation of academic transcripts and high school graduation exam scores), ranking among the highest in the country.

Strategy and development orientation for semiconductors

In his presentation at the conference, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Huynh Cong Phap proposed three key areas of focus: the development of semiconductor design, infrastructure investment, and mechanisms, policies, and international cooperation. He made six specific proposals for semiconductor human resource development:

• Orienting, raising awareness, and changing social perceptions of the importance of technology.
• Implementing policies to attract talented students to semiconductor studies, similar to the policy for teacher training (Decree No. 116 of the Government), offering free tuition, stipends, scholarships, and accommodation.
• Investing heavily in universities training semiconductor professionals, including attracting top lecturers, experts, and overseas Vietnamese and foreign scientists; investing in infrastructure, facilities, and laboratories.
• Strengthening collaboration between universities and businesses, such as building business-oriented training models, internships, and project implementation at universities, and researching real-world problems.
• Ensuring and committing to employment for graduates, with the government’s responsibility to attract investment and develop businesses, and universities’ responsibility for high-quality training with international standards in expertise, language, and skills for global readiness.
• Promoting sustainable research and training, focusing on basic science, semiconductor research linked with AI, IoT, 5G, and strong development in electrical and electronic training and research.

With these potentials and orientations, VKU hopes and believes in the correct and timely leadership of Danang City to soon develop the human resources serving the semiconductor industry, contributing to a strong renewal of the city’s economic growth model and making a small contribution to the development of a prosperous and powerful human resource of Vietnam.

MOU exchange between Danang Semiconductor and AI Center for Research and Training (Department of Information and Communications) and 06 Universities in Danang

At the conference, a ceremony was held for the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on collaboration between the Danang Semiconductor and AI Center for Research and Training (Department of Information and Communications) and six universities in Danang (Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology, University of Science and Technology, University of Technology and Education, Duy Tan University, FPT University, and Dong A University) regarding cooperation and support in research, training, and development in the fields of semiconductor design and artificial intelligence.

VKU lecturers receive Certificates for completing the city’s first semiconductor design lecturer training course

The city also awarded certificates for completing the first semiconductor design lecturer training course to 22 lecturers in Danang, organized by the Danang Semiconductor and AI Center for Research and Training at VKU in collaboration with the Institute of Information Technology, VNU Hanoi, and sponsored by Synopsys, including 5 VKU lecturers (Dr. Nguyen Vu Anh Quang, Dr. Duong Huu Ai, MSc. Ninh Khanh Chi, MSc. Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang, MSc. Phan Thi Quynh Huong) who participated and completed the course.

Six VKU lecturers were selected for the faculty development program on semiconductor testing and packaging by Arizona State University (USA)

Additionally, the city announced the list of 17 lecturers selected for the faculty development program on semiconductor testing and packaging by Arizona State University (USA) (funded by the International Technology Innovation and Security Fund of the US Department of State), including six VKU lecturers (Dr. Nguyen Vu Anh Quang, Dr. Duong Huu Ai, Dr. Nguyen Nhat An, Dr. Duong Ngoc Phap, MSc. Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang, MSc. Phan Thi Quynh Huong).

Center for Learning Resources and Communication

The Semiconductor Da Nang Day 2024 was the first of its kind in Danang and the Central Vietnam, aiming to promote the city’s potential, advantages, and investment opportunities in the semiconductor field, attracting domestic and international businesses, investors, and international organizations to consider and decide on investment, leveraging both domestic and foreign resources, especially Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), following the National Assembly’s approval of Resolution No.136/2024/QH15 on June 26, 2024, regarding the organization of urban government and the piloting of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Danang City. With the participation of nearly 500 delegates from central ministries; diplomatic agencies; business associations, enterprises, investors, domestic and international educational institutions; experts, scientists; and central and local media agencies, “The Semiconductor Da Nang Day 2024”  is expected to serve as a forum for stakeholders to discuss and propose solutions and policies for the development of the semiconductor field in the city, aiming to build Danang into the semiconductor hub of Central Vietnam. Additionally, the event was attended online by more than 100 delegates.

“The Semiconductor Da Nang Day 2024” included two main sessions: the “Da Nang City Semiconductor Investment Promotion Conference” in the morning and the “Da Nang City Semiconductor Human Resources Supply and Demand Connection Conference” in the afternoon.

Danang City has officially designated August 30th as The Semiconductor Da Nang Day.

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