Worhers handle circuit boards of electronic meters. (Photo: VNA)In Vietnam, 11 educationalinstitutions are providing training closely related to the semiconductor andintegrated circuit sector, and 35 others have training programmes with semiconductorand IC-related majors.
Sometraining branches fundamental to IC design, including electrical andelectronics engineering; mechanical, aerospace, and manufacturing engineering; computerscience and information system; technique and technology; and mathematics atsuch big universities as Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST); Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU); and Vietnam NationalUniversity, Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) have been listed at the 201st - 550th places in the QS World University Rankings.
Assoc. Prof. and Dr. Tran Xuan Tu, director of information technologyinstitute at VNU University of Engineering and Technology, said Vietnamboasts young and abundant human resources with good mathematical mindset andimproving capacity.
The fields of technology andtechnique, especially information technology, automation, electronics, andcomputer engineering, which are linked with different steps of thesemiconductor industry are grasping young people’s interest. Therefore, domesticinstitutions need to devise training plans and keep improving the quality ofhuman resources to optimise this advantage, he opined.
Assoc. Prof. and Dr. Tran Manh Hafrom the VNUHCM said that four schools of the VNUHCM are providing trainingconnected with IC design, namely University of Technology, Universityof Science, University of Information Technology, and InternationalUniversity.
For 2023 - 2030, the VNUHCM plans to train 1,500 engineers and graduates, 500 othersholding the master’s degree, and 15,000 holding certificates on IC design. It willbuild four training laboratories and two in-depth ones and establish aninstitute for semiconductor research.
However, Ha also pointed out certain difficulties such as the shortages of codesfor IC design training branches, training curricula and courses, support forlecturers, experts and attraction of talented students, laboratories, and an ICresearch and design centre that connecting schools with experts and businesses.
Some products applying semiconductor and IC design of the VNU University of Engineering and Technology. (Photo: VNU)Strong at scientific, technical andtechnological branches, the HUST currently has seven branches near and two othersspecialised in IC design with an annual admission target of more than 3,000students.
Assoc.Prof. and Dr. Nguyen Duc Minh from the HUST also pointed out severalchallenges, including the shortages of specialised software and equipment, learningmaterials, lecturers, and students.
Toscale up semiconductor-related training, Tung held that it is necessary to issuea code for the pilot training in semiconductor and IC, encourage businesses toinvest in and coordinate with educational institutions in developingsemiconductor and IC human resources, and attract excellent researchers toteach at universities.
Meanwhile, the VNUHCM suggested a national strategy for the semiconductorindustry be released to mobilise long-term resources, and codes issued for the trainingin IC design at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels. It also proposedthe MoET devise mechanisms for identifying student admission targets andsharing laboratories since investment in these facilities are costly.
RepresentingDa Nang University, Assoc. Prof. and Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai proposed the city’sauthorities to build policies for attracting semiconductor businesses, andprovide favourable conditions for domestic and foreign scientists and expertsto teach and conduct studies at local schools. It is also important to set up acentre for semiconductor research connecting the State, businesses, anduniversities.
Speaking at a recent workshop, Ministerof Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said if Vietnam manages to develop thesemiconductor industry, its stature will be promoted. The MoET views developinghuman resources for this sector as one of the focal tasks to be boosted inhigher education next year and beyond.
As this is a new industry, new methodology and vision are required, he said,adding that firstly, institutional solutions such as resolutions of theGovernment and the National Assembly are needed.
The MoET will complete standards forthose training branches as soon as possible so that schools can design theirtraining programmes. It is ready to create conditions for capable universitiesto recruit students. A special mechanism will also be created for them toattract experts and coordinate with domestic and international partners,according to the minister./.
VNA
