To lead in advanced semiconductor technology, fostering high-level talent at the master's and doctoral levels is crucial above all else. Accordingly, South Korea and the Netherlands, home to many global semiconductor companies, have joined forces to cultivate high-level talent in advanced semiconductors.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will host the '1st Korea-Netherlands Advanced Semiconductor Academy (hereinafter Korea-Netherlands Academy)' at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands for five days starting on the 19th.

The Korea-Netherlands Academy, which is an extension of the 'Korea-Netherlands Advanced Semiconductor Talent Development' agreement signed last December, is a corporate-linked educational program in which approximately 60 students (50 from Korea and 10 from the Netherlands) in master's and doctoral programs in semiconductors from both countries participate alongside about 20 global experts from 7 organizations at the sites of global advanced semiconductor companies such as ASML, IMEC, and NXP.

In particular, training will be provided on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology and process development for ultrafine pattern fabrication, atomic layer deposition technology development, wafer surface property control, and chip manufacturing processes conducted at IMEC through special lectures and discussions by developers from ASML and IMEC.

Through this, it is expected that domestic talents will be able to acquire knowledge and experience that is difficult to obtain domestically, such as the latest technology development status and strategies of global companies.

This program was attended by master's and doctoral students from the Semiconductor Specialized Graduate School, which was designated last year to foster high-level semiconductor talent. To enhance the effectiveness of this field-based education, experts from SK Hynix and materials, parts, and equipment (Sobujang) companies were invited to conduct preliminary training on micro-patterning process technologies, such as extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and plasma.

In addition, we plan to strengthen the curriculum of the specialized graduate schools in semiconductors during the first half of this year by opening courses in processes, materials, and equipment linked to the curriculum of the specialized graduate schools, and mutual exchange and linkage of educational systems among the specialized graduate schools in semiconductors They announced plans to proceed.

Lee Yong-pil, Director General of Advanced Industry Policy, stated, “The key to maintaining a super-gap in semiconductor technology lies in excellent talent,” and added, “We plan to launch the Korea-Netherlands Academy for working professionals in the first half of the year. By holding the Korea-Netherlands Academy annually, we aim to cultivate a total of 500 high-level talents from both countries over the next five years and actively promote cooperation in advanced semiconductor research and development (R&D).”