(MPI) - Vu Quoc Huy, Director of the National Innovation Centre (NIC), Ministry of Planning and Investment, authorised by the ministry’s leaders, on August 2 hold a meeting with a delegation of Japan’s Hiroshima University the US’s University of Idaho to exchange comprehensive information on semiconductor training programmes and scholarship opportunities for Vietnamese students.

At the meeting. Photo: MPI

Huy said that NIC is currently focusing on short-term training courses of 3 to 6 months, for developing human resources in semiconductors and related industries. Therefore, collaboration with leading universities in countries with advanced semiconductor industries to implement long-term training courses is crucial.

NIC also serves as a connector, encouraging high school students in Vietnam to register and participate in the scholarship programs offered by Hiroshima University and the University of Idaho. With the global advancement of science and technology, Huy said NIC hopes to cooperate and receive substantial support from Hiroshima University and the University of Idaho in the semiconductor field in the future.

Hiroshima University plans to collaborate with the University of Idaho to launch a special four-year Bachelor’s programme in semiconductors, taught in English. Initially, students registered at the University of Idaho will have the first two years at Hiroshima University and for the subsequent two years, they will study in the US and receive an engineering degree from the University of Idaho.

This programme is facilitated by faculty from both Hiroshima University and the University of Idaho, with support in terms of faculty, research labs, and equipment from Micron Technology (a leading multinational semiconductor manufacturer based in Idaho, US, with a production facility in Hiroshima as well).

Graduates are expected have career opportunities in the semiconductor industry in Japan, the US and Vietnam. Additionally, the programme offers a tuition fee of 10,000 USD per year, which is considered quite favourable compared to the general costs in Japan and the US. The programme is scheduled to start in October 2026 after approval from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Japanese government.

Hiroshima University hopes that Vietnam will consider granting scholarships immediately to at least 50 students, in which case the program could be implemented a year earlier./.

Bao Linh

Ministry of Planning and Investment