SINGAPORE, 2 May 2013-- SEMICON Singapore, Southeast Asia's largest annual gathering for the semiconductor industry, will open its doors next week with a dual  focus — on the latest technology developments for microelectronics manufacturing and an agenda that highlights the importance of educating a skilled workforce to drive future growth of the industry in Singapore. SEMICON Singapore 2013 ( www.semiconsingapore.org) runs 7-9 May, at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center.

Marking its 20th year in Singapore, SEMICON Singapore will feature more than 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest processes, materials, tools, and technologies used in the manufacture of today's most advanced electronic products. In addition to three days of exhibits, the event features an agenda of more than 40 hours of technical and business programs addressing critical manufacturing topics including front-end wafer manufacturing, advanced packaging, and test.

Beyond the technical challenges facing the industry, the SEMICON Singapore agenda will also address the significant issues of education and workforce development.

Singapore’s semiconductor industry has grown remarkably over the last forty years to become one of the most advanced hubs in the region.  Today the semiconductor industry constitutes much of Singapore's economic growth, contributing over 5 percent of the city-state’s GDP and 37 percent of all R&D spending by the manufacturing industry. The industry employs approximately 42,000 people.

 “Our semiconductor industry has evolved into one that comprises many of the top companies that carry out advanced R&D and manufacturing,” said Mr. Terence Gan, director of Electronics, EDB. “Hence, it is important that Singapore continues to hone our manpower and technological capabilities to support the growth of the industry. In this respect, SEMI’s educational programmes play a key role in encouraging youths to take part in this innovation-driven industry that makes possible the gadgets that are indispensible in our lives today.

The development of a highly skilled workforce is one of the greatest challenges to advancing growth of high-technology industries, in particular semiconductors and related microelectronics. Worldwide, these advanced products require thousands of engineers and technologists capable of designing intricate microelectronics as well as the complex manufacturing equipment, new materials, and precise processes needed to manufacture them. 

SEMICON University, which will be held Wednesday, 8 May, will bring more than 100 local polytechnic students from Republic Poly, Singapore Poly and Temasek Poly together with a panel of local industry leaders from Applied Materials, SSMC, KLA-Tencor and UTAC Group.  Students will learn more about careers in the semiconductor industry.  In addition to a Q&A session, students can meet face-to-face with SEMICON exhibitors to learn more about the industry and the manufacturing technologies on display at the exhibition.

In addition to SEMICON University, SEMICON Singapore will feature an adult education program from Republic Polytechnic. The program is one in a series designed to train adults looking to transition to careers in high-tech.

For more information about SEMICON Singapore 2013 and the program agenda, visit www.semiconsingapore.org.

About SEMICON Singapore

Singapore is a world-class electronics manufacturing hub with end-to-end R&D capabilities — which makes SEMICON Singapore the most important exposition for the semiconductor industry in Southeast Asia. The show connects the decision makers from the industry, demonstrates the most advanced products and brings in the most up-to-date market and technology trends. SEMICON Singapore 2013 runs 7-9 May at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center.

About SEMI

SEMI is the global industry association serving the nano- and microelectronics manufacturing supply chains. Our 1,900 member companies are the engine of the future, enabling smarter, faster and more economical products that improve our lives. Since 1970, SEMI has been committed to helping members grow more profitably, create new markets and meet common industry challenges. SEMI maintains offices in Bangalore, Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Grenoble, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C.  For more information, visit  www.semi.org.


Contacts:

Michael Droeger,
SEMI Singapore,
Tel.: +65.6391.9513
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Deborah Geiger,
SEMI Headquarters
Tel.: +1.408.943.7988
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