Latest news with #NationalSemiconductorStrategy
Barnama
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Barnama
3REN Firms Up Partnership With InvestPenang On Penang Silicon Design @5km+ Initiative
REGION - NORTHERN > NEWS GEORGE TOWN, July 18 (Bernama) -- 3REN Bhd's subsidiary, Sophic Automation Sdn Bhd, has signed an agreement with Invest-In-Penang Bhd (InvestPenang) to accept an incentive package aimed at enhancing its integrated circuit (IC) design and development capabilities, as well as transforming its ideas into IC products. The automation solutions and engineering services provider said in a statement today that the agreement further strengthens the partnership between the two parties, following the memorandum of understanding signed in December 2024 to collaborate on the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ (PSD@5km+) initiative. 'The incentive package granted to 3REN includes monetary subsidies, grants, or payments for facilities and services provided by stakeholders under the agreement for a period of three years until May 2028. bootstrap slideshow 'The group intends to strategically utilise these incentives to contribute to and foster further innovation within Malaysia's semiconductor and IC design and development ecosystem,' it said. Executive director and chief executive officer Koh Dim Kuan said the initiative offers valuable opportunities to collaborate with local fabless IC design firms, electronic design automation tool providers, and academic institutions, while improving access to cutting-edge IC design and development technologies. 'Having worked alongside reputable counterparties and global players in the IC industry, we are exceptionally proud to solidify our partnership with InvestPenang through the PSD@5km+ initiative. 'This collaboration further reflects our strong commitment to nurturing future talent, as the group strategically advances up the semiconductor value chain, building on its solid foundation in automation solutions and engineering services,' he said. On Dec 7 last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the PSD@5km+ initiative and announced an allocation of RM50 million to support it. The initiative is spearheaded by the Penang government through its agency, InvestPenang, to revolutionise Malaysia's semiconductor industry in line with the National Semiconductor Strategy.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia launches RM90m semiconductor fund to boost advanced packaging
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government has launched a RM90 million Science Endowment matching fund to establish the country as a global leader in advanced semiconductor packaging, a sector currently dominated by nations like Taiwan. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof announced the initiative, emphasising its role in modernising Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) capabilities. 'This strategic move aligns with the National Semiconductor Strategy and addresses the rising global demand for AI chips while boosting Malaysia's electrical and electronics exports,' Fadillah said during the 30th Anniversary of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and the 2025 Fellow Awards ceremony. He highlighted that the fund is not just government investment but an open call for local industries to innovate and strengthen Malaysia's position in next-generation semiconductor manufacturing. The event was also attended by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Chang Lih Kang and ASM President Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen. Fadillah pointed to Malaysia's recent climb to 23rd in the World Competitiveness Ranking as motivation to further enhance technological innovation and industry-research collaboration. 'We are transitioning from 'Made in Malaysia' to 'Made by Malaysia,' focusing on a knowledge-driven economy under the 13th Malaysia Plan,' he added. In line with Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship, Fadillah urged scientists to strengthen regional cooperation. ASM is set to launch a foresight report, 'ASEAN Ahead: ASEAN STI Ecosystem Foresight 2035 and Beyond,' during the October ASEAN Summit, serving as a foundation for the ASEAN Plan of Action for Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI 2026-2035). Chang Lih Kang praised ASM for its evidence-based research and cross-sector engagement, which has contributed to key national roadmaps, including hydrogen technology and nuclear policy. The ceremony also honoured three Senior Fellows and 63 new ASM Fellows, bringing the total to 535 distinguished scientists and engineers. - Bernamapix
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
MSE's RM90 Mln Matching Fund Launched To Position M'sia As Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Hub
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Science Endowment matching fund for the semiconductor sector amounting to RM90 million, has been launched to position the country as a global hub in advanced packaging technology, an area currently dominated by a handful of countries such as Taiwan. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that the semiconductor matching fund is expected to modernise Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) towards advanced packaging, in line with the vision of the National Semiconductor Strategy. "This strategic initiative will also meet the growing global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) chips and boost the country's electrical and electronics (E&E) exports. "I would like to emphasise that this is not just a form of government investment but also an open invitation to the local industry to step forward, explore new research opportunities, innovate boldly, and strengthen Malaysia's position in the global value chain for next-generation semiconductor manufacturing," he said. He said this at the 30th Anniversary of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and the 2024 and 2025 Fellow Awards ceremony here tonight. Also present were the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Chang Lih Kang and the President of ASM, Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen. Fadillah said the country's achievement of climbing 11 places to the 23rd in the World Competitiveness Ranking by the Institute for Management Development 2025 recently should serve as a catalyst to further strengthen local technological innovation and expand strategic cooperation between the research and industry sectors. He noted that Malaysia is now in a crucial phase of enhancing its competitiveness by transitioning to a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy, shifting from a 'Made in Malaysia' model to 'Made by Malaysia', in line with the emphasis of the 13th Malaysia Plan. "To realise this aspiration, the government through ASM must unite expertise, coordinate resources, and strengthen the cooperation between the government, industry, academia, and the community," he said. In conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship this year, Fadillah urged scientists and researchers to strengthen regional cooperation networks.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Nurturing future chip designers in Penang
Academy in Bayan Lepas targets 1,000 graduates in five years THE Penang Chip Design Academy (PCDA) plans to train more than 1,000 graduates and working professionals in integrated circuit (IC) design-related fields over the next five years. Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) chairman Solomon Lorthu said at present the PCDA lab, located within the centre in Bayan Lepas, can accommodate up to 25 students with four courses offered. 'PSDC is committed to delivering a comprehensive chip design talent cultivation programme with the goal of upskilling and reskilling at least 1,000 fresh graduates and working professionals in IC design-related fields over the next five years. 'We are proud to co-fund this special initiative by providing the space and the setting up of a fully equipped PCDA Lab. 'This lab can accommodate up to 25 participants, is powered by state-of-the-art systems and the leading electronic design automation software, Synopsys. 'As a start, the academy offers four courses – Physical Design, Design Verification, Analog Design and Custom Layout. 'These courses are designed and crafted referencing the syllabus by Synopsys IC Design and Education Programme. 'The duration of these programmes ranges between four to eight weeks,' he said at the opening ceremony of the academy. Solomon said more programmes would be added in due course, with the pilot class on custom layout already underway since June 16 and with an inaugural batch of 14 trainees from various institutions. He said such programmes were designed not just to train but to bridge the gap between academia and industry by equipping people with hands-on experience and job-ready skills. According to Solomon, the initiative marks a major milestone in PSDC's efforts to accelerate the development of the IC design sector in the country. 'The idea behind the PCDA began in early 2024, when InvestPenang, speaking to industry leaders and taking stock of the evolving industry landscape, approached PSDC to establish a dedicated training centre to support the growing needs of the IC design ecosystem. 'Looking ahead, PSDC remains committed to growing the talent pool in IC design and aligning with the vision to be the preferred investment destination and hub for the global semiconductor industry,' he added. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, present at the ceremony, said PCDA was among three strategic pillars under the Penang Silicon Design @5KM+ initiative through its lead agency, InvestPenang, aligned with the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS). The two other pillars are Penang IC Design & Digital Park located at Bayan Lepas and Silicon Research & Incubation Space at GBS TechSpace. He said the initiative – a collaboration between government, academia and industry – aimed to accelerate the Al revolution and position Malaysia as a leader in providing end-to-end solutions. 'The academy is positioned to reshape the country's future in IC design. 'From artificial intelligence chips and high-speed memory to edge computing technologies, PCDA builds upstream design capabilities essential for global semiconductor leadership. 'The academy reinforces Penang's emergence as a South-East Asian IC design epicentre and affirms Malaysia's readiness to lead next-generation chip innovation on the global stage. He said initiative aims to build a tightly integrated front-end innovation ecosystem. 'The Penang Silicon Design @5KM+ initiative supports Malaysia's broader ambition to become a regional leader in upstream semiconductor capabilities in full alignment with the NSS and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.' With a complete ecosystem for IC design and pool of talent ready in the industry, Chow said it would help attract more foreign investors to enhance their operations. In response to growing industry demand for next-generation chip innovation, Chow said the academy would also offer advanced upskilling in critical technologies of the semiconductor landscape. He also added that future-tech modules, including Advanced Packaging, AI software and emulation, would equip engineers to navigate complex design cycles, optimise system-level performance and contribute to the development of Malaysia's own chip architectures for global markets. Also present at the launch was InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian and PSDC chief executive officer Dr Hari Narayanan.
Malaysia Sun
02-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
U.S. trade policy remains concerning for Malaysia's technology sector: analysts
Xinhua 01 Jul 2025, 22:45 GMT+10 KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Xinhua) -- While global semiconductor sales for 2025 are expected to continue to grow, analysts remained cautious about outlook for Malaysia's technology sector due to prevailing uncertainties surrounding U.S. trade policy. TA Securities said in its recent note that should the U.S. implement sector-specific tariffs on semiconductor imports, it could materially impact end-market demand and Malaysian technology corporate earnings. According to the research house, heading into the second half, there are three major factors that could potentially influence the sector's earnings, U.S. policies; global semiconductor sales; progress of Malaysia's National Semiconductor Strategy. "Should the U.S. administration proceed with imposing tariffs on semiconductor imports, it could severely disrupt the global supply chain and dampen end-user demand," the research house said. Hence, it believed the policy risk will likely persist in the coming months, potentially leading to delays in orders and capital expenditure plans as corporates adopt a more conservative approach in response to the lack of policy visibility. Meanwhile, TA Securities noted that the global semiconductor market was still undergoing an upcycle, with positive momentum expected to continue into the second half.
