Phenikaa strengthening cooperation in the semiconductor industry

This visit marks an important step forward in the development of international cooperation between Phenikaa University with US partners with the support of the US government through the embassy in Vietnam.

Diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States have undergone a remarkable journey since normalisation in 1995. For nearly three decades, the two countries have continuously strengthened and developed their bilateral relationship, gradually overcoming differences to become a comprehensive partner in many fields, marked by upgrading their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2023.

Regarding education and training cooperation, by 2023, Vietnam has had about 50 joint training programmes with the US.

The US government has about 30 study exchange programmes with Vietnam. Cooperation between the two sides includes allowing Vietnamese students to study in the US and programmes to support the development of Vietnamese education through the US Agency for International Development.

During the working visit, Knapper visited Phenikaa University’s facilities, Phenikaa Semiconductor Training Centre (PSTC), and the Applied BioMedical Research Centre.

In recent years, Phenikaa University has gradually asserted its position on the domestic and international educational map with positive contributions to the development of education and scientific and technological research. In particular, close cooperation with US partners has brought Phenikaa University significant achievements, contributing to improving the quality of training and research of the university.

Regarding training, Phenikaa University signed an MoU with Arizona State University (ASU) to implement the BUILD-IT Project in 2022. Accordingly, 162 lecturers have participated in advanced training courses for capacity improvement within the framework of the project; three lecturers have obtained international certification; five training programmes in the Technology and Engineering Disciplines Group are preparing to meet ABET accreditation standards; 18 leaders and lecturers have participated training digital teaching methods in higher education; 200 have students participated in the BUILD-IT's project-based learning programmes.

Regarding scientific research, Phenikaa scientists have collaborated with scientists from the University of Georgia and the University of South Florida to release publications in prestigious scientific journals such as Advanced Optical Materials and Material Horizons.

In particular, the project "Application of vetiver grass at a practical scale to treat dioxin contaminated soil at Bien Hoa Airport" is being implemented by Dr. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey. The project is being funded by USAID with a total value of $332,000.

One of the areas considered as Phenikaa's strengths is the Phenikaa University Hospital Project with a system equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and machinery from US manufacturers, with a total cost of more than $6 million.

In the 2022–2023 period, Seeding Labs sponsored $500,000 in kind (nearly 200 devices) to build the Applied BioMedical Research Centre. The devices are currently being used for research and training.

In the health science disciplines group, in 2023, Phenikaa University signed an MoU with Michigan State University (MSU). Before that, Phenikaa University and the Institute for Global Health (MSU) had training cooperation within the framework of the Mekong One Health Innovation Programme Project.

Phenikaa University's representative said that the comprehensive partnership between the US and Vietnam in education has brought positive contributions to the education sector in Vietnam, including Phenikaa University. Phenikaa University will continue to strengthen cooperation with US universities in many fields, particularly in scientific research.

Semiconductor microchips are considered the foundation of modern computing, playing an important role as the world enters a period of booming research, application, and development of new technologies such as AI, internet of things, and big data. Vietnam currently has great potential to become a new global semiconductor centre.

With particular demand for human resource training, the semiconductor industry should not just stop at basic university courses, but instead make efforts to reach higher levels.

In May this year, the Semiconductor Research and Human Resources Training Alliance was established by Phenikaa University (represented by PSTC) and Danang (represented by Danang Semiconductor and AI Center for Research and Training (DSAC) in the form of a public-private partnership. At the same time, Phenikaa University also signed an MoU with Arizona State University, the largest semiconductor chip industry training institution in the world, to develop training programmes using resources provided by the US government.

ASU is committed to collaborating in the field of semiconductors (integrated circuit design, ATP), aerospace engineering, and clean energy engineering. At the same time, ASU will cooperate with PSTC to provide semiconductor training courses for lecturers, and promote cooperation in graduate training.

Phenikaa also signed an MoU with Synopsys, an electronic design automation company, providing tools and services for the semiconductor design and manufacturing industry.

Sharing about this cooperative relationship, Knapper said, “We're so pleased that you've taken steps with American companies like we mentioned, Synopsys, and these are the kinds of collaboration, these are the kinds of partnerships and synergies that are going to lead way to the US and Vietnam partnering even more closely, to help our two countries not just strengthen our economic relationship but also to help diversify and strengthen supply chains, to help ensure that Vietnam is a key centre for semiconductor and other high-tech manufacturing and to ensure that our two countries, our two futures, are filled with prosperity, peace, and stability.”

Synopsys has cooperated with and provided PSTC with hardware such as Zebu 5 and Zebu 4 devices - the world's leading systems in virtualising chips and all software tools for chip design. Synopsys also provides textbooks and materials for trainers, and sends experts together with PSCT’s lectures on training courses.

The US ambassador's visit was not only an important milestone in the partnership between the two countries, but also an opportunity to consolidate and expand joint efforts in semiconductor chip technology.

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