Samsung Partners with Leading Engineering Schools Across the U.S. to Bolster the Semiconductor Ecosystem with $5.7 Million in Donations

In an effort to foster a STEM-ready workforce in the United States and bolster the semiconductor ecosystem, Samsung recently announced a total of $5 million in contributions to the University of Texas at Austin (UT), Texas A&M (A&M) University, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). These contributions serve a dual purpose: to advance education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields while also strengthening the STEM-ready talent pool for the U.S. semiconductor industry.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., is a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology and the first global company to manufacture chips in the United States, where we have been producing semiconductors at our Austin fab since 1996. Samsung is continuing to expand our footprint in the U.S. with investment in an advanced $17 billion semiconductor manufacturing facility in Taylor, Texas, which will become operational in 2024.

Samsung’s commitment will boost U.S. semiconductor production and bolster the domestic supply chain of advanced semiconductor solutions that power next-generation innovations and technologies and drive the need for engineers for years to come.

• University of Texas at Austin Cockrell School of Engineering: Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced $1 million to support partnerships and initiatives to increase participation in UT’s engineering programs and promote semiconductor research and curriculum to expand the semiconductor STEM pipeline, while providing more opportunities to underrepresented communities.
• University of Texas at Austin Cockrell School of Engineering: Samsung Electronics announced a $2.7 million contribution to support research and development projects related to the semiconductor industry.
• Texas A&M College of Engineering: $1 million investment will help transform Texas A&M’s semiconductor education and recruiting programs.
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Grainger College of Engineering: $An initial investment of $1 million to provide support to engineering students who are interested in the semiconductor industry and increase opportunities for recruiting top engineering talent.

The donations include funding for scholarships, research grants, state-of-the-art laboratories, cutting-edge equipment, and curriculum development. This comprehensive approach ensures that students interested in the semiconductor industry will have access to top-notch resources and opportunities to excel in their studies. Additionally, these awards will facilitate internship programs, mentorship initiatives, and industry partnerships. These programs help bridge the gap between academia and the semiconductor industry, providing students with hands-on experience and real-world insights into the sector’s demands and innovations.

By investing in higher education and fostering these strategic partnerships, Samsung is  contributing to the development of a highly skilled workforce and nurturing innovation within the semiconductor ecosystem.

In August, Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced its 5-star workforce development plan, purposed in developing a talent pipeline for our advanced semiconductor fabrication facility under construction in Taylor, Texas, and our Austin fabrication facility which has been in operation for more than 27 years. This 5-star workforce development plan focuses on five key areas that Samsung Austin Semiconductor believes can grow and adapt to support the long-term requirements for a semiconductor talent pipeline in Texas and across the nation. The five key points are:

1. K-12 Schools: Partner with local school districts to invest in STEM education and programs that encourage young students to be engaged in STEM learning, with a priority focus on Taylor and Manor school districts.
2. Two-year Technical/Trade Schools: Partnerships and initiatives with two-year technical and trade schools to educate, train, recruit, hire and retain technicians and skilled individuals.
3. Four-year Colleges: Partnerships and initiatives with four-year institutions to increase participation in engineering programs and promote semiconductor research and curriculum to expand the semiconductor STEM pipeline, while reducing barriers to underrepresented communities.
4. Community Partners: Community-based initiatives to grow the STEM pipeline, with an emphasis on increasing participation from women and underrepresented and economically disadvantaged communities.
5. Military: Extend our work with veteran organizations and Texas-based military personnel transitioning to civilian life seeking employment in Central Texas.

Samsung Austin Semiconductor currently employs 4,500 people at the Austin site with an additional indirect workforce of 9,935 which includes vendors, partners and consultants. The new Taylor site will create 2,000 employees. According to a recent report from the Semiconductor Industry Association, semiconductor companies across the nation have announced more than 44,000 new expected jobs since the introduction of the CHIPS and Science Act. Samsung believes that with our existing and new workforce partnerships, these projects will help close the talent gap that is critical to the success of the semiconductor industry in the U.S.