On Thursday, Penn State University announced it had joined Micron Technology’s Northeast University Semiconductor Network as one of its founding member institutions.
The network, which focuses on enhancing curriculum and developing new research and learning opportunities for the next generation of U.S. semiconductor industry’s workforce, was established in partnership with the National Science Foundation and is funded through a $280 billion package in the CHIPS and Science Act supporting domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
“With Penn State joining the Northeast University Semiconductor Network, we are building on our strong collaborative ties with industry, other universities and government partners to help address a critical need for advancements in semiconductor production and future workforce training,” said Andrew Read, interim senior vice president of research at Penn State. “We previously have teamed up on centers such as the Penn State-led Center for Heterogeneous Integration of Micro Electronic Systems (CHIMES) as well as the Processing with Intelligent Storage and Memory (PRISM) center. With our institutional semiconductor expertise, we are thrilled to continue preparing the next generation of engineers and shape the future of the industry.”
The Northeast University Semiconductor Network aims to augment existing curriculum with “industry-backed technical content,” giving Penn State students the opportunity for hands-on experience with semiconductor device fabricating using advanced technology in labs and facilities across the Northeast, including at the Penn State Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization’s cleanroom and the Penn State Materials Research Institute, said Madhavan Swaminathan, electrical engineering department head and professor at CHIMES.
“As we prioritize semiconductor workforce readiness in the classroom, students will have multiple opportunities to strengthen their skills through industry internships and Penn State co-curricular activities, such as the summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates, including the Drawdown Scholars Program and the Summer Research Opportunities Program,” Swaminathan said.