12 PH Universities Join Semiconductor Workshop

The Board of Investments (BOI), in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), launched the ITSI Semiconductor Faculty Certification Program with a kickoff workshop held at the New World Makati Hotel from December 9 to 13, 2024.

The workshop gathered 51 faculty members from 12 Philippine universities to enhance curricula and build a talent pipeline aligned with the needs of the local semiconductor industry.

BOI Acting Director Ronaldo Buluran, in his opening remarks, highlighted the growing demand for semiconductors in the country and the vital role of academia in meeting this demand.

“You, our faculty, will play a crucial role in developing a skilled and trainable workforce for our local semiconductor industry,” Buluran said. “The skills and knowledge you’ve gained through this program will shape the future of this vital sector.”

Dr. Danilo Lachica, President of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI), Luke Mendoza of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, and Dr. May Rose Imperial, Chair of CHED’s Technical Committee for Electronics Engineering, provided participants with an overview of the Philippine semiconductor industry.

The workshop’s latter sessions included group planning led by ASU’s Professor John Ball and an equipment mapping activity facilitated by Professors Hongbin Yu and Ball.

Participants proposed strategies for shared infrastructure and course development through collaboration between government agencies, such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and private sector partners.

The Philippines is a key player in the global semiconductor supply chain, accounting for 56.9% or USD 41.91 billion of the country’s exports in 2023. As of October 2024, the industry contributed USD 33.46 billion, or 54% of total exports.

Part of the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, the ITSI Fund has allocated USD 13.8 million to the Philippines for workforce development and public policy reforms in the semiconductor industry. The project aims to position the Philippines as a strategic hub in the global supply chain.

The country’s growing expertise in assembly, packaging, and test services, combined with its competitive IC design capabilities, supports its prominent role in the global semiconductor ecosystem.

To sustain growth, the BOI has emphasized the importance of workforce development. The Philippines produces around 730,000 higher education graduates annually, with 10-12% specializing in engineering and technology.

To meet industry growth and export targets, the country aims to add 128,000 semiconductor engineers and technicians by 2033. Collaborative efforts between local and international partners are crucial to achieving this goal.

The ITSI Faculty Certification Program, a two-year project under the US CHIPS Act, is designed to enhance Assembly, Test, and Packaging (ATP) education in Philippine institutions. It provides faculty with resources to implement semiconductor-related programs at their universities.

Faculty members and institutions interested in joining the program can visit https://itsi-skillsaccelerator.org for more information.