Micron invests to support research at local universities

• Investment to strengthen collaboration, R&D with local universities over five years
• Funding will support research in semiconductor materials, smart manufacturing, AI

Micron Technology Inc. has announced an investment of US$238,000 (RM1 million) to strengthen collaboration, research and development (R&D) projects with local universities over the next five years. 

In a joint statement by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Micron, the organisations said the funding will go towards grants supporting research in the areas of semiconductor materials, smart manufacturing and artificial intelligence which are key to the advancement of tech manufacturing in the country.

“The grant funding to local universities by Micron further reinforces the company’s commitment to using its leadership, influence and resources to create positive change, on top of its relentless efforts in employee wellbeing, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility,” said Chow Kon Yeow, chief minister of Penang. 

Arham Abdul Rahman, chief executive officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said the company is encouraged by Micron’s efforts and contribution to build a resilient semiconductor ecosystem that supports Malaysia’s competitiveness as the destination of choice for future investments.

“For the past 50 years, MIDA has strived to position Malaysia as an international manufacturing hub whose holistic electrical and electronic ecosystem enables front-end and back-end semiconductor production, and this would not have materialized without the active contribution of the corporate sector. 

“Besides advancing business growth, their involvement in universities’ academic curriculum development has been catalytic in grooming aspiring young technology innovators and leaders who are fundamental to this industry’s success.

“This partnership between Micron and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is set to create new growth opportunities and we welcome such collaborations to transpire between other various institutions and companies,” Arham said.

Meanwhile, Amarjit Singh Sandhu, corporate vice president and country manager of Micron Malaysia said Malaysia is critical to the company’s global manufacturing footprint and hopes the funding and collaboration with local universities will strengthen the local semiconductor ecosystem, advance R&D and deepen science, technology and engineering skills in the local talent pool.

“We aim to use our presence and influence to contribute to Malaysia’s economy, including generating quality jobs and increasing the country’s productivity, efficiency, and global competitiveness,” he said.

USM is the first university partner to receive funding from Micron.