MICRON INVESTS IN LOCAL UNIVERSITIES TO ENHANCE SEMICONDUCTOR TALENT POOL

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 7– Micron Technology Inc has announced a RM1 million investment to strengthen collaboration and research and development (R&D) projects with local universities over the next five years as well as to enhance the capabilities of the local talent pool.

Micron Malaysia corporate vice-president and country manager Amarjit Singh Sandhu said Malaysia is critical to its global manufacturing footprint and therefore, it hoped the funding and knowledge transfer to local universities would further strengthen the local semiconductor ecosystem.

“It is hoped that the funding will advance R&D and deepen science, technology and engineering skills in the local talent pool.

“We aim to use our presence and influence to contribute to Malaysia’s economy, including generating quality jobs and increasing the country’s productivity, efficiency and global competitiveness,” he told a press conference after making the announcement here today.

Amarjit said Micron has committed a total investment of RM1.5 billion in Malaysia since 2018, which have also resulted in the expansion of its local operations with facilities in Tanjung Agas Industrial Area, Muar in Johor as well as two facilities in Penang, namely Prai Industrial Estate and Batu Kawan Industrial Park.

Following the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing between Amarjit and USM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan today, witnessed by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, the university would be the first university partner to receive funding from Micron.

He said the funding would go towards grants supporting research in the areas of semiconductor materials, smart manufacturing and artificial intelligence which are key to the advancement of technology manufacturing in the country.

Also present was Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) deputy chief executive officer, Investment Promotion and Facilitation, Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, who said that such partnerships and funding were crucial for Malaysia’s goal in becoming a resilient and competitive manufacturing hub considering the significant investments in the manufacturing sector, subsequently leading to greater demand for talent.

“The approved investment figure achieved last year was RM177.8 billion, which is 51 per cent higher than that in 2020 despite challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of that total, RM103 billion worth of investments were from the manufacturing sector.

“Within that figure, over RM64 billion were from the electrical and electronics sector which is expected to create 22,000 employment opportunities. This type of collaboration is critical as it will help ensure there is constant talent supply for the sector,” he added.

-- BERNAMA