Special Program - IT Vision in Asia
Theme: "Vision For the Future of Semiconductor in Southeast Asia"
Chair: Minjae Lee, GIST, Korea
Co-chair: Mustafijur Rahman, IIT Delhi
IT Vision in Asia Talk 1
IC Design - Human Resource Development and R&D Activities in Vietnam
Vietnam National University, Vietnam
This talk will provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art of integrated circuits (IC) design activities in Vietnam, encompassing both the academic and industrial sectors. As Vietnam continues to emerge as a significant player in the global semiconductor industry, understanding the current capabilities and ongoing advancements in IC design is crucial. In the academic sector, numerous universities are pioneering specialized programs and research initiatives aimed at fostering expertise in IC design. These efforts are complemented by industrial collaborations and partnerships that enhance the practical experience and employability of graduates. On the industrial front, Vietnam is a new home to a growing number of companies and startups that are contributing to the development and innovation of IC design and semiconductor technologies. These enterprises are not only meeting local demands but are also positioning Vietnam as a competitive force in the global market. A critical aspect of this discussion is the escalating demand for skilled human resources in the IC design and semiconductor industry, which is also a global challenge for the world-wide semiconductor market. As technology evolves and the industry expands, there is a pressing need for a workforce that is adept at navigating the complexities of IC design and manufacturing processes. This talk will delve into the specific skill sets required, the current workforce capacity, and the gaps that need to be addressed to sustain growth and innovation. Next, the talk will outline strategic directions for education in IC design in Vietnam, highlighting initiatives and programs designed to bridge the gap between academic training and industry requirements. Emphasis will be placed on curriculum development, industry-academia collaboration, and the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies into training programs. By aligning educational strategies with industry needs, Vietnam can ensure a robust pipeline of skilled professionals capable of driving the future of IC design and semiconductor innovation. This talk also aims to provide valuable insights and foster discussions on the critical intersection of education, industry demands, and human resource development in the integrated circuits design and semiconductor industry.
Xuan-Tu Tran received a Ph.D. degree in 2008 from CEA-Leti, Minatec (in collaboration with INPG, the University Grenoble Alpes), France, in Micro Nano Electronics. He is currently a full professor at Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) and the Director of the VNU Information Technology Institute (VNU-ITI), a member of VNU. He was an adjunct professor at University of Technology Sydney, Australia (2017-2023). He has worked as a lecturer at Vietnam National University, Hanoi (1999-2003), as a research engineer at the CEA-LETI, MINATEC, France (2003-2008), as an assistant professor (2008-2011), an associate professor (2011-2020) at VNU University of Engineering and Technology. He was an invited professor at the University Paris-Sud 11, France (2009, 2010), visiting professor at Grenoble INP in 2011, invited professor at the University of Electro-Communications (UEC), Tokyo, Japan (2019), invited professor at the University of Genova, Italy (2024). He was the Director of VNU-Key Laboratory for Smart Integrated Systems (2011-2020) and co-Director of the Joint Technology and Innovation, Research Centre (JTIRC, 2017-2020). He is in charge of CoMoSy, VENGME, ReSoNoC, IOTA, ADEN4IOT, Secu-IoT, UBGIoT projects for embedded systems and multimedia applications. He has published 3 books, 8 patents and more than 130 papers on peer-reviewed international conferences and journals. His research interests include design and test of systems-on-chips, networks-on-chips, design-for-testability, asynchronous/synchronous VLSI design, low power techniques, and hardware architectures for multimedia applications, cryptography, and Artificial Intelligence (AI chip).
He is a Senior Member of the IEEE (SSCS, CAS), member of IEICE, and the Executive Board of the Radio Electronics Association of Vietnam (REV), Vietnam Association of Informatics (VAIP). He serves as Chairman of IEICE Vietnam Section, Chairman of IEEE SSCS Vietnam Chapter, Chairman of IEEE Circuits and Systems Vietnam Chapter. He also served as general chair/co-chair and technical/organizing committee member for numerous international conferences, editor and reviewer for many prestigious scientific journals. He won the Second Prize (the 2nd best) of “Vietnamese Talents Award” in 2015 and the VNU Scientific Award for the period 2011-2016.
IT Vision in Asia Talk 2
Recent semiconductor development in Asia, the challenges and opportunities
Appscard Group AS and Appscard Global Research & Innovation Center, Malaysia
Semiconductors are critical electronic circuits or units made from materials such as silicon, germanium, silicon carbide, and others. These components are essential to electronic devices and systems, including memory devices, logic devices, analog integrated circuits, memory protection units, microcontroller units, and discrete power devices. The global semiconductor industry is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing use and integration of electronics across various applications, including networking communication devices, data processing, industrial automation systems, consumer electronics, automotive, and government projects.
The global semiconductor market size was valued at $611.35 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from $681.05 billion in 2024 to reach $1 trillion by 2030. The following growth did not take into consideration the recent growth and development of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning (ML) technologies. Recent semiconductor developments in Asia, notably countries, have been characterized by significant advancements and strategic investments. One can say that Asia remains a critical hub for semiconductor innovation and production, with countries actively working to enhance their capabilities and secure their positions in the global market.
The Asia semiconductor market is experiencing notable trends fueled by technological advancements, rising demand for electronic devices, and the region’s emergence as a crucial player in the global semiconductor supply chain. A key trend is the focus on advanced manufacturing technologies, such as the adoption of smaller semiconductor nodes and the development of innovative packaging techniques. This aligns with the industry’s goals of achieving higher performance, energy efficiency, and miniaturization, which are essential for producing cutting-edge electronic devices.
With all this growth, one will face challenges and opportunities that one can explore.
Ir Dr Bernard is the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Appscard Group AS and Appscard Global Research & Innovation Center, a technology startup in Penang, Malaysia, specializing in biometric smartcards. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electronic and electrical engineering from Nottingham Trent University (1996), Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Portsmouth (2004) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Wawasan Open University (2023). He has also been appointed as an Adjunct Professor (Industry) at Asia Pacific University, Technology & Innovation (APU), and Associate Fellow Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN, UKM). He has over 28 years of experience in the industry holding running and senior management roles in electronic manufacturing as well as co-founding a few tech startups. Bernard is a Professional Engineer, an Honorary Member of ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organization (AFEO), a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers in Malaysia (FIEM), Chair-elect of IEEE Malaysia, and Fellow of the ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology. He was holding multiple position in various IEEE Technical Society in Malaysia.
He is currently the Chair, IEEE Region 10 Ad hoc Committee on Industry Engagement and Roundtable and IEEE Electron Device Society Communication Chair. He is also a member of Solid-State Circuit Society and Circuits and System Society. He is also a permanent member for the technical committee on Innovation Management (NSC Y/TC11) and has worked on various IEEE Standards like IEEE1588 and many other standards. He is currently actively engaged in prominent roles within various international and national engineering and tech associations, where he plays a crucial part in advisory capacities and committees focusing on areas such as innovation management, skill development, and material engineering.
IT Vision in Asia Talk 3
Advancing Thailand's Semiconductor Industry Through Talent Development
Silicon Craft Technology PLC, Thailand
The semiconductor industry is a cornerstone of technological innovation, driving progress across sectors from consumer electronics to automotive systems. For Thailand to become a major player in this dynamic field, the development of a skilled workforce is essential. This talk will explore the strategic initiatives required to advance Thailand’s semiconductor industry through focused talent development.
The current state of semiconductor education and industry collaboration will be evaluated and the gaps and opportunities for enhancement will be identified. Key areas of focus include the integration of cutting-edge curricula in academic institutions, the strengthening of industry-academia partnerships, and the creation of a supportive ecosystem for startups and innovation. By leveraging Thailand’s unique strengths and addressing its specific challenges, we aim to establish a sustainable model for talent cultivation that meets domestic needs and enhances Thailand’s global competitiveness.
Amorn Jiraseree-amornkun is a Principal Research Engineer and IT manager at Silicon Craft Technology (SIC) PLC, Thailand, where he leads internal and external research projects with universities in fields of sensors front-end, low-power analog IC, non-volatile memory, and VLSI system development. He also manages an IT team to support IT infrastructure, software, and EDAs for the entire company.
He completed a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering, and master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering all from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Thailand. Between 2007–2018, we worked with Faculty of Engineering, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Thailand, in which he was an assistant professor, head of electronic engineering department, and associate dean for research.
Dr. Amorn was the Chair of the IEEE CASS Thailand Chapter during 2022–2023 and the secretariat of the IEEE Thailand Section during 2018–2021. Currently, he has served as the treasurer of the IEEE SSCS Thailand Chapter.
IT Vision in Asia Talk 4
The Center for Integrated Circuits and Devices Research (CIDR)
University of the Philippines, Philippines
The Center for Integrated Circuit and Device Research (CIDR) is a Philippine government-funded infrastructure and framework for the sharing of resources between the academe, industry, and government, with the goal of reducing the risk of bringing new technologies from discovery to commercialization. Specifically, sharing resources that enable (1) graduate-level manpower development, (2) technology exploration, and (3) increased technology absorption capabilities, leading to increased economic competitiveness and a sustainable local IC design ecosystem. In order to enable these goals and address the accompanying issues associated with these goals, CIDR’s efforts will revolve around and emphasize collaborative activities, specifically joint development of manpower and technologies.
Louis P. Alarcón was born in Quezon City, the Philippines. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, in 1995 and 2002 respectively and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 2010. He has been a faculty member of the University of the Philippines Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute since 1995, and is a faculty affiliate and laboratory head of the Microelectronics and Microprocessors Laboratory (MICROLAB). His research interests are centered on the design of very low energy integrated circuits and systems for resilient large-scale sensor networks. He is the CIDR program leader, and also the holder of the Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) Professorial Chair for Microelectronics.