By Sarah Hafizah Chandra & Gabriel Lihan
KUCHING: Melexis Technologies NV, Belgium is planning to double its production capacity at its facility in Samajaya here by the year 2050.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg disclosed that the state government and Melexis have established a good relationship since 2015.
“We are no longer strangers to one another. Furthermore, our relationship has been increasingly important due to Melexis’s increased investment in Sarawak and the semiconductor industry development in recent years.
“I hope that through our collaboration and partnerships, Sarawak will further add value and resources to Melexis’s expansion plans,” he said.
He said this at the launch of Sarawak Microelectronics Design (SMD) and signing ceremony of a Framework Service Agreement (FSA) with Melexis Technologies NV, Belgium at TEGAS Digital Village today.
Abang Johari said Melexis is welcomed to partner with technical institutions and universities in Sarawak to shape a new curriculum in semiconductors for undergraduates, postgraduates, and industry certifications to enable young graduates to acquire the necessary skills to be semiconductor professionals.
He said the industry-academic platform can also promote industry-driven research collaboration in areas relevant to the semiconductor industry.
He pointed out that semiconductors play a key role in clean energy by enabling clean, renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency.
“Semiconductors are increasingly important in making the electric grid more intelligent. For example, through smart meters, sensors, wireless and wireline communications as well as control systems.
“The intelligence system enables the electric utilities to detect faults, manage the power demand when capacity is constrained or costly, and integrate renewable and distribute power sources into the grid more easily,” he said.
He added that these examples are just a few of the many applications how semiconductors are used to enable clean energy in different sectors of the economy.
