Riyadh, 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 Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the Board of Directors of KACST Eng. Abdullah Al-Sawaha, Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) President Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, and Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University President 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 chan
ges in the Middle East region.
KACST President Dr. Munir Eldesouki declared the establishment of the National Capability Center for Semiconductors (NCCS). 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 NCCS, according to Eldesouki, will provide its resources to researchers from over 30 Saudi universities, helping to develop expertise in electronic chip production by training 500 researchers and students in semiconductor technologies every year.
Eldesouki announced a new joint master’s program in the field of semiconductors between KACST, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, and the University of Calif
ornia at Los Angeles (UCLA). The program aims to offer high-quality education to produce skilled professionals for the semiconductor industry and provide 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 announced the opening of registration for the first round 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.
Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) General Supervisor Dr. Mohammed Al-Otaibi announced the establishment of the National Semiconductor Hub, an initiative that 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. It plans to train and employ 5,000 engineers in integrated circuit design. By 2030, the hub aims to attract over SAR1 billion of investment capital and funds in deep technology. The National Technology Development Program (NTDP) will provide more than SAR150 million worth of support products to companies within this group.
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.
KAUST President Professor Tony Chan emphasized that the forum represents the strategic collaboration between KACST and KAUST and highlights the Kingdom’s keenness on this industry and its potential to create a promising future.
Chan stressed the university’s commitment to de
veloping 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 2014 Nobel Prize winner in physics, 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 eight scientific 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, the role of semiconductors in space exploration and sixth-generation (6G) communications research, and the development and manufacture of semiconductors in the Kingdom.
Participants discussed new
advancements in photonics and quantum technologies, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) 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 (IoT), electronic chips in electric vehicles, and the Kingdom’s endeavors to localize and advance the electronic chip industry. This aims to establish a prominent global position for the Kingdom in this field, 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. It displayed the newest advancements in semiconductors and research posters related to this field.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
