Private university 'funds' a semiconductor technology center.

The Semiconductor Experiment and Technology Transfer Center of Dai Nam University is expected to contribute to making Vietnam a semiconductor industry hub by 2040-2050.

A new "must-visit" destination for semiconductor training in Vietnam.

Investing in semiconductor research and development centers is considered a form of venture capital. Many large public universities also have to carefully consider the risks before making a decision.

Yet a private university like Dai Nam University "finalized the deal quickly and efficiently".

Six months after the university's leadership visited Taiwan (China), the Semiconductor Experiment and Technology Transfer Center, under the Semiconductor Technology Faculty of Dai Nam University, officially opened on the morning of March 4th.

The center's list of academic and business partners includes many prestigious names from Taiwan (China), such as: TSMC, D-Link, TSG, Chunyu Group, Neweb, Qisda, Longhua University of Science and Technology; Minghsin University of Science and Technology; Jingyi University; Kunshan University...

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Trang, Head of the Semiconductor Technology Department - Dai Nam University. Photo: Binh Minh

Speaking with a VietNamNet reporter , Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Lan Trang, Head of the Semiconductor Technology Department, said: The Semiconductor Experiment and Technology Transfer Center is being urgently implemented by Dai Nam University in accordance with Resolution 57 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, contributing to making Vietnam a semiconductor industry center by 2040-2050.

The center's three main objectives are: meeting the practical training needs of semiconductor engineers through specialized exercises, preparing students for the job market; creating a well-equipped environment for faculty to conduct scientific research; and transferring semiconductor technology to partners and organizations in need.

The Semiconductor Technology Faculty of Dai Nam University began admitting students in the 2024-2025 academic year. The first cohort admitted 160 students, and this year they expect to admit around 300-500 students.

Currently, the department is implementing a "2 plus 2" system, meaning 2 years of study at Dai Nam University and 2 years of study in Taiwan. Families with children studying at Dai Nam University only have to pay tuition for the first two years, while the remaining two years will be fully funded by Taiwan, covering tuition, accommodation, and living expenses.

Taiwan is a leading global chip manufacturing market. The support of Taiwanese partners in the operation of the Semiconductor Experiment Center and technology transfer will help Dai Nam University students acquire solid skills and quickly reach expert level in the semiconductor field.

"Newly graduated students can earn salaries as high as 20-25 million VND per month," said Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Lan Trang.

High expectations for Resolution 57

The Semiconductor Industry Human Resource Development Program until 2030, with a vision to 2050, was approved by the Government last year. Accordingly, 18 universities will be prioritized for budget investment to establish and upgrade semiconductor laboratories to ensure training capacity.

Dai Nam University is a private university and has not received state budget support for the implementation of its Semiconductor Experiment and Technology Transfer Center.

The laboratory at the Semiconductor Experiment and Technology Transfer Center is meeting the requirements of eight courses. Photo: Binh Minh

“In the semiconductor industry (chip manufacturing), there are four stages: Design - Production - Testing - Packaging. Given the current circumstances, we cannot yet invest in production activities, as the cost of a single piece of equipment can reach hundreds of billions of dong, with total investment amounting to thousands of billions of dong. The total investment for phase 1 of the center is only a few billion dong.”

"In the second phase, the school will invest in more practice rooms for testing and packaging – two important areas where Vietnamese people can excel," Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Lan Trang shared.

The center's current laboratory meets the requirements of eight subjects, including: Experimental Physics and Semiconductor Components; Practical Computer Programming; Electrical Circuit Experiments; Analog Electronics Experiments; Practical Circuit Board Design; Practical Digital Electronics; Practical Integrated Circuit Design; and Experimental Digital System Design.

To contribute to the integration of Vietnam's semiconductor industry with the world, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Lan Trang believes that training, research, and development activities in universities in general, and Dai Nam University in particular, need to be invested in more financially and with other resources.

“Resolution 57 contains many new regulations that are liberating for scientific research and innovation. We hope to receive support from the state budget for the laboratories in phase 2 of the center, as Dai Nam intensifies its technology transfer and commercialization activities,” the Head of the Semiconductor Technology Department suggested.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dai-hoc-tu-nhan-bo-tien-tui-dau-tu-trung-tam-ve-cong-nghe-ban-dan-2377545.html