Representatives of BUT and onsemi discussed cooperation on the implementation of the National Semiconductor Strategy.

Brno University of Technology met with representatives of the company onsemi to discuss mutual cooperation and coordination of steps for the implementation of the National Semiconductor Strategy. The shared goal is to explore ways to attract more students to technical and natural sciences programs (STEM), increase the number of graduates in these fields for the semiconductor industry, and contribute to the competitiveness of the Czech economy through education and research.

National Semiconductor Strategy focuses on the development of the semiconductor industry in the Czech Republic, with an integral part being the development of human resources. The strategy's approach to securing a qualified workforce largely relies on students and graduates from higher education institutions in relevant fields for the semiconductor industry. This especially includes microelectronics and chip design, but also related fields such as physical engineering, micro and nanotechnology, or materials for chip and semiconductor component production.

“Graduates of these BUT fields find a wide range of opportunities in the semiconductor sector, which is one of the strategic priorities for developing a knowledge and innovation-based economy. Onsemi is the largest semiconductor producer in our country, which last year announced plans to expand its production contingent upon the approval of a state investment incentive and its successful notification by the European Commission. At BUT, we have been collaborating with onsemi for more than two decades in education and research as part of a strategic partnership,” said BUT rector Ladislav Janíček, adding that more than half of all engineering positions in onsemi's chip development and production are held by BUT graduates.

The meeting primarily focused on the development of further cooperation and mutual support in attracting students to STEM fields and semiconductor technology studies. “We agreed on various forms of mutual cooperation, including collaboration with elementary and secondary schools, enhanced cooperation in teaching, providing internships and practical experience for students in relevant fields, cooperation in further education, and exploring possibilities for industrial doctoral studies,” said Janíček.

The meeting also covered the preparation of individual steps related to the implementation of the National Semiconductor Strategy and discussions on possible ways to support higher education in fields essential for the national economy until 2030.

The meeting was further encouraged by news that the Government Committee for Strategic Investments had approved so-called contract-based financing for studies in semiconductor technologies. A pilot project to test this method of state support in increasing the number of students and graduates from higher education institutions will be launched at the two largest technical universities, BUT in Brno and CTU in Prague, which already have established educational programs for microelectronics. “Contract-based financing is a significant mechanism that should support higher education in fields essential for the state's economy. We will collaborate on this project as a university with CTU and with the support of partners from the Czech Semiconductor Centre, including onsemi,” explained the rector.

BUT, together with CTU, onsemi, Codasip, the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster, and the JIC Innovation Agency of the South Moravian Region for Business Development, succeeded in the European competition within the Pillar I of the European Chips Act to establish the Czech Semiconductor Centre as a European contact point for the Czech semiconductor industry. This center will be part of a European network of similar chip competence centers across the EU member states. The lead partner of this consortium is BUT, where the center is currently being established.

The Czech Semiconductor Centre (Czech Semiconductor Centre) aims to support the development of the semiconductor industry by providing access to technologies for chip design, facilitating access to pilot production lines, coordinating the development of human resources at the national level across higher, secondary, and further vocational education, and finally providing support for the development of semiconductor businesses and the establishment of spin-offs and start-ups in the sector.

“I would like to thank all colleagues involved in developing our strategic partnership in this area, and I look forward to further cooperation,” concluded the BUT rector.

 

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Responsible person	Ing. et Ing. arch. Jana Němcová
Date of publication	07.02.2025