Seoul National University Strengthens Collaboration with Ministry of Education and National Universities for Regional Semiconductor Talent Development
1st National University Regional Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center Workshop Held

▲ Group Photo of the 1st Regional Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center Workshop

Seoul National University Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center recently announced the successful hosting of the 1st National University Regional Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center Workshop. The workshop was organized to strengthen cooperation among regional Inter-university Semiconductor Research Centers, which serve as local hubs for semiconductor workforce development, and to discuss operational strategies.

In 2023, the Ministry of Education launched a public call for national universities outside the capital region to be designated as regional Inter-university Semiconductor Research Centers, aiming to alleviate the workforce shortage in the semiconductor industry. The initiative, linked to SNU's Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center, seeks to create a central hub for semiconductor education and research. As a result, four universities—Jeonnam National University, Pusan National University, Kyungpook National University, and Chungnam National University—were selected. Additionally, in July 2024, Kangwon National University and Jeonbuk National University were added, bringing the total number of designated universities to seven, including SNU. Each center will focus on specialized areas, such as system semiconductors, automotive semiconductors, power semiconductors, ultra-realistic nano-semiconductors, bio semiconductors, and semiconductor materials, to lead semiconductor talent development.

At the workshop, officials from the Ministry of Education, as well as directors and staff from the seven national university Inter-university Semiconductor Research Centers, reviewed the progress of each center's construction and shared challenges. They also discussed the future operational plans of the National University Regional Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center Cooperative and joint research initiatives, reaffirming the importance of mutual cooperation. The cooperative's structure will consist of four divisions—operations, technology, exchange, and education. Each division will focus on specific tasks such as research center management, technical collaboration and joint research, personnel exchange, and education program development.

Lee Hyuk-jae, Director of SNU’s Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center, praised the workshop as a meaningful first step toward collaboration, noting, “This workshop allowed members from all seven regional Inter-university Semiconductor Research Centers to gather in one place, understand each other’s situations, and lay the foundation for cooperation. SNU’s Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center will spare no effort in providing full support as a central hub to ensure the success of the regional centers’ education and talent development.” Meanwhile, Bae Jeong-ik, Director of Educational Facilities at the Ministry of Education, emphasized the ministry’s ongoing commitment to supporting regional semiconductor talent development and the successful establishment of the joint research centers, stating, “We will continue to support the smooth operation of the cooperative, with a focus on regional-specific semiconductor workforce training.”

The workshop, held at a time when organic cooperation between the regional Inter-university Semiconductor Research Centers is critical to achieving the shared goal of semiconductor talent development, is expected to be a major milestone in Korea's semiconductor education and workforce training. As the central hub for semiconductor research and education, SNU’s Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center plans to facilitate seamless collaboration among the regional centers, helping each one focus on cultivating specialized semiconductor talent in their respective areas of expertise.

[Contact Information]  

Seoul National University Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center Team Leader Park Sin-keun / +82-2-880-5458 / sinkeun@snu.ac.kr