KOTA SAMARAHAN: Fourteen trainees have completed the Semiconductor Mastery Programme, specialising in Analog Integrated Circuit (IC) Design and Test Solution Development Engineering — the first initiative of its kind in Sarawak.
Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, who also chairs the Sarawak Microelectronics Design (SMD) Semiconductor, announced that the trainees will soon be recruited by either SMD Semiconductor or Melexis.
This marks a significant milestone in SMD’s ongoing mission to produce 500 semiconductor professionals by 2030.
“I would like to commend SMD for their visionary leadership in initiating talent development along the front end of the semiconductor value chain in collaboration with Melexis and CENTEXS.
“Your efforts have laid a strong foundation for the future of the semiconductor industry in Sarawak, and I am confident that this initiative will continue to bear fruit in the years to come,” he said during the first-ever SMD Cohort Semiconductor Mastery Programme completion ceremony held at SMD Academy, La Promenade, here, recently.
He urged other government-linked companies (GLCs) to follow SMD’s example in fostering talent development, stressing the importance of designing and implementing programmes that cater to the unique needs of Sarawak’s industries.
“For sustainable growth, it is imperative for both industries and MEITD, through government-linked companies, to design and implement talent development programmes that specifically address the requirements of Sarawak’s industries. GLCs should champion these initiatives with their respective industry needs, facilitated by MEITD,” he added.
Sagah also highlighted the critical role of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in laying the groundwork for the advanced skillsets required in the future.
He expressed his satisfaction with SMD’s efforts in organising the SMD Make-A-Thon Challenge in Miri, Sibu, and Kuching to promote the semiconductor industry among students.
“I encourage the trainees to continue their careers in Sarawak, and for those who choose to work abroad, I urge them to return and contribute to Sarawak’s development,” he said.
Meanwhile, SMD chief executive officer (CEO) Shariman Jamil announced the selection of 16 new trainees from institutions including UNIMAS, UTM, UTAR, UniKL, UM, and Xiamen University for the programme’s second cohort, set to begin on Sept 3.
These trainees were chosen from a competitive pool of 124 local applicants and 65 from outside Malaysia.
Shariman highlighted the growing need for graduates with a strong foundation in STEM and IC design to meet the demands of the semiconductor industry, noting that current educational institutions require further development in these areas.
“This gap in knowledge highlights the need for focused educational efforts to better equip our graduates for the demands of the semiconductor industry.
“With these challenges in mind, SMD Semiconductor has forged a collaborative partnership with Swinburne University to further enhance our talent development efforts.
“Through the joint master’s degree programme, we aim to provide advanced education and specialised training opportunities to graduates or individuals seeking to deepen their expertise in semiconductor technology,” he said.
He added that this partnership not only bolsters the talent pipeline but also strengthens ties between industry and academia, fostering innovation and driving progress in the semiconductor sector.
The SMD 1st Cohort Semiconductor Mastery Programme, which began on Feb 14, was sponsored by MEITD and facilitated by SMD in partnership with Melexis and CENTEXS.
