Elevating Singapore’s allure as a hub for semiconductor talent

16 Jan 2024 — As technological advancements have accelerated across the globe and highlighted the importance of the semiconductor industry, Singapore has emerged as a prominent hub in this space – accounting for around 11% of the global semiconductor market, with 5% of wafer capacity and 20% of semiconductor equipment manufactured on our shores.

Growing Singapore’s prominence in the semiconductor industry

Globally, this sector is instrumental in enabling Industry 4.0, 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart machines. It is also pivotal to our nation’s economy, contributing to 7% of our national GDP in 2021, and 80% of our total electronics and manufacturing output. And while global chip demand may be eased now that post-pandemic shortages have been met, the industry remains on an upward trend with strong long-term prospects.

Furthermore, heightened geopolitical tensions and supply chain challenges are leading semiconductor companies to diversify manufacturing and supply resources. This presents a unique opportunity for Singapore to leverage our political stability and established semiconductor ecosystem to attract further investment from companies in the industry. What’s needed now, are the appropriate incentives to attract large players to Singapore, and a talent pipeline to fill (and benefit from) the roles that will be available.

Addressing the education gap, nurturing multi-disciplinary professionals

Despite the presence of specialised technical training in semiconductors, there is a noticeable gap in the multi-disciplinary training that is essential for nurturing the next generation of semiconductor talent – and this gap is particularly pronounced in the face of an increasingly competitive and globally dispersed industry. Today’s semiconductor professionals need both advanced technical knowledge and a deep understanding of business analytics, technology, and supply chain management to drive their companies towards success.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) College of Design and Engineering (CDE) has stepped up to fill the gap with its new Master of Science in Semiconductor Technology and Operations (MSc (STO)) programme. This programme offers students in the region access to experiences and courses outside of traditional engineering areas – enabling professionals to build the multi-disciplinary skillsets and holistic expertise that modern semiconductor companies are looking for.

The NUS Master of Science in Semiconductor Technology and Operations programme

The MSc (STO) programme is a 40-unit, multi-disciplinary master’s degree that focuses on two main areas, namely technology and operations.

It draws from the expertise of within CDE, including college departments like Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Industrial Systems Engineering and Management, the joint industry research platform and the Singapore Hybrid-Integrated Next-Generation Generation µ-Electronics (SHINE) Centre. An internship component is available for learners who are keen on gaining additional industry exposure and practical experience.

The programme’s key learning outcomes include:

Building foundational expertise in semiconductor technologies: Equipping graduates with strong fundamentals in the latest semiconductor technologies and gaining an in-depth understanding of materials, devices, manufacturing, packaging, and testing in the semiconductor industry.
Advancing knowledge of investments and supply chains: Learners will understand the nuances of semiconductor technology infrastructure investments and the complexities of supply chain management.
Nurturing strategic decision-makers: Graduates will have the capabilities to examine key cost and benefit decisions that are relevant to semiconductor chip design and manufacturing – at strategic, tactical, and operational levels.
Analysing industry processes and innovation cycles: Individuals will comprehend the complete semiconductor design, technology development, and manufacturing process (including technological innovation cycles).
Understanding business models and market dynamics: Graduates will gain a deep understanding of past and present business models of the technology development process and have the expertise to implement them appropriately.

This holistic approach ensures that graduates are not only technically proficient, but also adept at understanding and navigating the broader business and operational aspects of the semiconductor industry.
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Industry relevance and prospects

Growth in the semiconductor industry is anticipated to continue for the next decade, especially as semiconductor companies across the entire value chain continue to expand globally. Singapore’s Manufacturing 2030 plan – with its emphasis on developing capabilities in research and development (R&D), sustainability, and nurturing skilled talent – places our nation in an ideal spot for leveraging on the growing demand for semiconductor capabilities and talent.

As such, Singapore continues to participate in high-growth segments such as new radio frequency chips and filters for 5G and beyond, breakthrough sensor technologies for artificial reality and virtual reality, and more. On the talent front, an additional 2,000 jobs are expected to be created here within the next three to five years.

Graduates of the NUS MSc (STO) programme will find themselves well-positioned for roles across the entire semiconductor value chain, including process and process integration, new product introduction, manufacturing and operations, supply chain management, and many others.

In addition to preparing graduates for fulfilling careers in the semiconductor industry, the programme also provides a strong foundation for individuals interested in pursuing a PhD.

Enrolment period and admission routes

Individuals interested in joining the inaugural intake of the NUS MSc (STO) programme in August 2024, can submit their applications between 15 December 2023 and 31 March 2024.

There are two routes for admission into the programme: Direct admission for those with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics with (at least) an NUS 2^nd class honours or equivalent, or a ‘stackable’ route for learners with a Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Technology and Operations with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0.

The MSc (STO) programme can be studied either full-time or part-time and can be completed between 1.5 years to 4 years, depending on the mode of study and the individual’s pace.

For more information about the programme, visit the programme page.