KACST President Launches Ambitious Initiatives to Localize Electronic Chip Design
The Future of Semiconductors Forum 2024, organized by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), in cooperation with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), was launched under the title Empowering Silicon Innovations. The opening was attended by H.E. the Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the Board of Directors of KACST, Eng. Abdullah Al-Sawaha, H.E. the Minister of Investment, Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, H.E. the President of the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, and Her Excellency the President of Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, Dr. Enas Al-Issa. The event was also attended by several officials, decision-makers, and an elite group of experts and specialists in the field of semiconductors.
During the forum, several ambitious initiatives were announced to bolster the Kingdom's global standing in the field of semiconductors, boost the digital economy, develop local talent in this crucial field, and bring about transformative changes in the Middle East region.
H.E. Dr. Munir Eldesouki, President of KACST, declared the establishment of the National Capability Center for Semiconductors (NCCS) during the forum's inauguration. This center provides researchers and experts with access to advanced clean room laboratories spanning over 3,600 square meters at KACST and KAUST. It aims to create a research network for local and international universities, as well as the public and private sectors, to conduct specialized research in the electronic chip design industry. The ultimate goal is to fulfill national research, development, and innovation priorities and aspirations.
The Center, according to His Excellency, will provide its resources to researchers from over 30 Saudi universities. This will help in developing expertise in electronic chip production by training 500 researchers and students in semiconductor technologies every year.
Dr. Eldesouki also announced a new joint master's program in the field of semiconductors between King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University and the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA). The program aims to offer high-quality education to produce skilled professionals for the semiconductor industry and provide 35% intensive academic education and practical training in clean room laboratories in KACST that ends with them obtaining an academic degree. He said that the program contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by qualifying male and female researchers in future technology specializations.
He also announced the opening of registration for the first batch of the semiconductor incubator program (Ignition), the first of its kind in the region. It is designed to attract ambitious entrepreneurs from all over the world, boost the development of local and international start-ups, achieve technical progress in the semiconductor industry, and contribute to national economic growth.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Otaibi, the General Supervisor of the Research and Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA), has announced the establishment of the National Semiconductor Hub. This initiative aims to promote the local design of electronic chips. The Hub's objective is to support 50 specialized companies in electronic chip and semiconductor design technologies. Additionally, it plans to train and employ 5,000 engineers for integrated circuit design. By 2030, the Hub aims to attract over one billion riyals of investment capital and funds in deep technology. Furthermore, the National Technology Development Program (NTDP) will provide more than 150 million Saudi riyals worth of support products to companies within this group.
Dr. Al-Otaibi emphasized that the National Semiconductor Hub will play a vital role in boosting local industries, supporting research and innovation, and fostering a cutting-edge environment to strengthen the Kingdom's position in the semiconductor industry.
Professor Tony Chan, the President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), emphasized that the forum represents the strategic collaboration between KACST and KAUST. It also highlights the Kingdom's keenness on this industry and its potential to create a promising future.
Professor Chan stressed the university's commitment to developing world-class research and innovation capabilities in the field of semiconductors to pave the way for a bright future to achieve the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030.
During a talk at the conference, Professor Shuji Nakamura, a Nobel Prize winner in Physics in 2014, discussed how his invention, "VCSEL Laser Technology," is utilized in short-distance communication, car sensors, and facial recognition tools in smartphones.
Over two days, the forum hosted 8 scientific sessions. These sessions focused on various aspects of the semiconductor industry in the Kingdom. Participants discussed the general semiconductor landscape in the Kingdom to explore opportunities and shape the future, the pioneering semiconductors excellence in the kingdom, strategic initiatives to enhance the semiconductor industry and localization opportunities, as well as the role of semiconductors in space exploration, and 6G communications research and beyond, and the development and manufacture of semiconductors in the Kingdom.
The participants also discussed the new advancements in photonics and quantum technologies, the role of artificial intelligence and data science in lighting technologies, and technical progress in semiconductor packaging and its applications.
The attendees also deliberated the significance of integrated sensors and their uses in the Internet of Things, electronic chips in electric vehicles, and the Kingdom's endeavors to localize and advance the electronic chip industry. This aims to establish a prominent position for the Kingdom in this field globally, considering the country's efforts to localize silicon innovations and its favorable position in terms of human resources, scientific capabilities, economy, and geography compared to other countries.
The forum featured an exhibition showcasing 20 local and international companies. The exhibition showcased the newest advancements in semiconductors and research posters related to this field.
