Semiconductors Innovation Mission from the Netherlands Visits Kumamoto University

On June 23, 2023, Semiconductors Innovation Mission from the Netherlands, consisting of industry, academia, and government, visited Kumamoto University (KU) and met with Dr. Jun Otani, Executive Vice President for Research and Global Strategy, and other faculty members of KU. This mission consisted of more than 40 members from Dutch government agencies, universities, research institutes, and companies, including Ms. Astrid Bronswijk, Manager Innovation and Knowledge, Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, who came to Japan mainly to strengthen the cooperative relationship between Japan and the Netherlands in R&D and industry-academia collaboration in the field of semiconductors. 29 of them visited KU.

TSMC, one of the world's largest semiconductor manufacturers in Taiwan, is currently constructing its first Japanese plant in Kikuyo town, Kumamoto Prefecture. With the increasing concentration of semiconductor-related industries, the development and securing of related human resources is an urgent issue. Kumamoto University therefore established "Research and Education Institute for Semiconductors and Informatics" in April 2023, and plans to establish the "School of Informatics" and the Faculty of Engineering’s “Semiconductor Device Engineering Course" in AY2024.

During the meeting, Executive Vice President Otani welcomed the mission and introduced KU’s initiatives in the field of semiconductors, and then Professor. Masahiro Iida and Distinguished Professor. Masahiro Aoyagi explained the research and human resource development at Research and Education Institute for Semiconductors and Informatics. The mission expressed their gratitude for accepting the visit and explained the current situation of the semiconductor field in the Netherlands. In response to this, the participants exchanged opinions on expectations for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in this field, as well as future prospects.

It is hoped that this visit will serve as an opportunity to promote collaboration and cooperation between KU and industry, academia, and government sectors in the Netherlands.
 

Group Photo with Delegation from the Netherlands