Lee Kunwoo, president of Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST) (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
DAEGU, Mar. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea stands as an outstanding force in the global chipmaking arena, led by industry giants like Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc., leaders in memory chip manufacturing.
South Korea’s semiconductor exports amounted to US$99.7 billion last year, accounting for some 16 percent of the country’s overall overseas shipments, which underscores the industry’s pivotal role in the country’s economy.
With the semiconductor sector serving as a cornerstone of Asia’s fourth-largest economy, the demand for skilled professionals and researchers in this field is paramount.
According to recent projections by the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, the industry is estimated to require around 304,000 workers by 2031, but the anticipated supply falls short by 54,000 individuals.
Lee Kunwoo, president of Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), said the academic community can play a pivotal role in nurturing and supplying a high-caliber workforce from the outset.
“Semiconductor is a high-tech industry that will shape future technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving, and robotics,” Lee said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency. “Now, we urgently need talents who can overcome recent challenges in device integration and high performance and lead the development of semiconductor integration process technology.”
As part of nationwide efforts to address the burgeoning demand for skilled professionals, DGIST, in collaboration with Samsung Electronics, has inaugurated a semiconductor engineering department, welcoming its inaugural cohort of 30 students this year.
DGIST is one of the seven South Korean universities, including the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) and Pohang University of Science and Technology, that have a Samsung Electronics-dedicated semiconductor department in the country.
A birds-eye view of DGIST (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Lee outlined the department’s mission: to alleviate the semiconductor labor shortage and bolster the domestic industry’s competitiveness by cultivating talents tailored to the rigors of chipmaking.
Samsung Electronics has committed 6 billion won (US$4.5 million) to the DGIST-Samsung project over the next five years.
“Our objective is to cultivate a workforce with practical experience aligned with Samsung Electronics’ requirements,” Lee said, highlighting opportunities for selected graduates to join the tech giant upon completion of their studies.
Students enrolled in the program gain access to DGIST’s cutting-edge semiconductor process facilities, including a highly controlled cleanroom spanning 4,400 square meters and equipped with over 80 machines. There, they can experience the entire process of semiconductor design, manufacturing, and testing using highly sensitive materials.
Moreover, DGIST’s collaborative initiatives extend beyond local industry partnerships to encompass global research endeavors, aimed at fostering global practical talent and expanding convergence education and creative research on a global basis, Lee said.
Collaborations with entities like Infineon Technologies AG have led to the establishment of an Internet of Things (IoT) innovation center on DGIST’s campus in Daegu, focusing on sensor and connectivity applications.
Plans are also under way for joint research projects on AI semiconductors with renowned institutions, like Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits Systems, emphasizing DGIST’s pledge to cutting-edge innovation on the global stage.
The DGIST president also underscored the university’s commitment to globalization, citing its appeal to top-tier professors and scholars worldwide.
Students look at semiconductor wafers in this photo provided by DGIST. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
DGIST boasts 92 partnership agreements with 71 college research centers across 23 countries, facilitating student exchanges and collaborative research efforts.
“I want to increase diversity of students, faculty and researchers, facilitating integrated education and research in school,” Lee said. “And globalization will help us recruit the world’s renowned professors and scholars and build an international network.”
Through initiatives like the DGIST Undergraduate Research Award programs, students have had the opportunity to study at prestigious institutions, such as Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University, fostering a richly diverse and globally connected academic community.
“My vision is to create a research-friendly environment that attracts top talent from around the globe,” Lee concludes. “I am confident that DGIST’s diverse student body and culture will propel us to international acclaim as a leading research university.”
(Yonhap)
