Hanoi (VNA) - Hiroshima University (Japan) and the University of Idaho (US) will support Vietnam in training bachelor's degree students in the semiconductor field through a four-year program. The first two years will take place at Hiroshima University, followed by a transfer to the University of Idaho, where students will earn an engineering degree.
On August 2, the National Innovation Center (NIC) held discussions with representatives from Hiroshima University and the University of Idaho to exchange information about the semiconductor training program and scholarship opportunities for Vietnamese students.
Professor Shinji Kaneko, Executive Vice President for International Affairs at Hiroshima University, stated that the program will provide English-taught education in semiconductor studies. Vietnamese students will spend the first two years at Hiroshima University, followed by two years at the University of Idaho, earning an engineering degree from the latter.
The program will be supported by professors from both institutions and backed by Micron Technology, a leading multinational semiconductor manufacturer.
Graduates of the program will have strong job prospects in the semiconductor industry in Japan, the US, and Vietnam. Tuition is around 10,000 USD per year, considered affordable compared to general costs in Japan and the US. The program is expected to launch in October 2026, pending approval from Japanese authorities. However, it could start a year earlier if Vietnam can offer scholarships to 100–150 students.
NIC Director Vu Quoc Huy emphasized the importance of long-term training collaborations with leading universities as Vietnam strengthens its semiconductor industry. NIC is actively promoting short-term training courses and connecting Vietnamese students to scholarship opportunities at Hiroshima University and the University of Idaho, he noted.
Along with the global advancement of science and technology, NIC hopes that in the future there will be opportunities for collaboration and active support from Hiroshima University and the University of Idaho in the field of semiconductors, said Huy.
At the meeting, Professor Shinji Kaneko emphasized the importance of long-term collaboration between universities and businesses. He also stressed the need for cooperation in offering scholarships, connecting students with future job opportunities, and promoting the program to high school students as a higher education option.
In August, representatives from both universities and Micron Technology are set to visit Vietnam to discuss scholarship agreements with relevant authorities. If the program is successfully implemented, the two universities may consider accepting students for master's and doctoral-level training.
In the context of Vietnam's strong push to develop its semiconductor industry, training human resources in this field is considered a "breakthrough of breakthroughs" in cultivating high-quality talent. Vietnam's collaboration with prestigious universities worldwide to provide training in semiconductors for students, lecturers, and engineers is essential, aligning with the country's priority areas at each stage and the specific strengths of each partner.
The successful implementation of this program could attract significant investment from major Japanese and American semiconductor companies to Vietnam, including Micron Technology./.
