Vietnam’s Push towards a Sustainable Future: Developing a Strong Engineer Training Program for the Semiconductor Industry

Vietnam is working towards developing a suitable training program for aspiring engineers in the semiconductor industry, according to Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son. This information was shared during a conference titled “Training program for the semiconductor chip industry until 2030 – Challenges and solutions,” which took place on April 26.

Deputy Minister Son highlighted the importance of focusing on training engineers for the semiconductor industry as a strategic move to leverage technology access and transfer opportunities, leading to rapid and sustainable economic growth. Foreign corporations are more likely to invest in Vietnam if they see that the country has skilled human resources. However, to attract students to study and develop strong training programs, there needs to be a viable market.

The development of training programs should be industry-driven, with models designed to meet market requirements promptly and in the long term. Currently, universities are enrolling students in 4-year bachelor’s programs with 1-2 years of intensive training, meaning that the first course may not be available until 2030.

It is estimated that Vietnam will require between 30,000 to 50,000 engineers to cater to the microchip industry by 2030. Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Phong Dien from Hanoi University of Science and Technology sees this demand as both an opportunity and a challenge for universities. He recommended that training programs need to align with the actual needs of businesses in terms of quantity and quality, focusing on specific fields within the semiconductor IC industry.

Dr. Nguyen Duc Minh from the School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology proposed a pilot manufacturing program that involves collaboration between educational institutions and industry partners. This program would encompass facilities construction, scholarship incentives, tax benefits, and joint investment in training and research programs for international cooperation.

Dr. Nguyen Minh Son, the Head of the Department of Computer Engineering at the University of Information Technology, suggested piloting a training program focused on System-on-Chip-oriented IC design. This approach would involve mastering the IC design process through system-on-chip design. He also highlighted the need for shared laboratory facilities to build a strong semiconductor chip industry ecosystem that fosters research and trains skilled human resources with a specific focus on this field.

In conclusion, developing a suitable training program for aspiring engineers in the semiconductor industry is crucial for Vietnam’s rapid economic growth through technology access transfer opportunities. To achieve this goal successfully, it is essential