Micron Technology, Inc., today announced it is the first semiconductor company to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with five polytechnics in Singapore to strengthen and scale the engineering talent pipeline for the technology industry.

Under the agreement, Micron will collaborate with Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic to provide students with a holistic and structured program throughout their education and National Service (if applicable).

The MoU was signed by Ms. Sim Cher Whee, vice president of Global Talent Acquisition, Mobility and Immigration at Micron Technology; Ms. Esther Ho, deputy principal of organizational excellence at Nanyang Polytechnic; Mr. Lim Kok Kiang, principal and chief executive officer (PCEO) at Ngee Ann Polytechnic; Ms. Jeanne Liew, principal and chief executive officer (PCEO) for Republic Polytechnic; Mr. Henry Tan, deputy principal of administration at Singapore Polytechnic; and Mr. Peter Lam, PCEO at Temasek Polytechnic. Singapore’s Minister for Education, Mr. Chan Chun Sing and Micron’s corporate vice president and Singapore country manager, Mr. Chen Kok Sing witnessed the MoU signing ceremony.

Building the workforce of the future

The collaboration between Micron and the polytechnics, as outlined in the MoU, includes a series of student engagement activities and opportunities: 

• Scholarships — The Micron Foundation will offer twenty scholarships to students (equally distributed among the five polytechnics annually) who demonstrate a passion for engineering and continuous interest in learning about the semiconductor industry. These scholarships will also be open to applicants with special educational needs and Malay students through Yayasan MENDAKI.
• Internship program — Micron plans to offer internships to students identified by the polytechnics and issue letters of intent to hire exemplary interns upon satisfactory completion of the program. 
• Full-time employment before National Service (NS) — Micron will provide full-time employment opportunities for selected students upon their graduation before they enlist in NS.
• Industry sharing and career talks — Micron and the polytechnics will co-organize learning journeys and career talks, a conducive platform for interacting with industry leaders, professionals and engineers, to prepare students for careers in the semiconductor industry.
• Staff development — Micron and the polytechnics are committed to providing relevant professional training to staff as part of upskilling and reprofiling training.
• Continuing education and training — Micron and the polytechnics will collaborate on continuing education and training (CET) programs, and individual career development opportunities. Micron will also participate in and help establish work-study programs.

Quotes from polytechnics

“Micron is providing real-world learning and practical training opportunities. This collaboration will certainly be valuable in deepening students’ interests and skill sets. As an industry-centric polytechnic, we are glad to work closely with Micron to co-develop and co-train our learners to prepare them to excel in their engineering roles,” said Mr. Russell Chan, PCEO at Nanyang Polytechnic. 

“Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s strategic tie-up with Micron is timely amid the exciting growth prospects of the semiconductor sector. Besides facilitating knowledge exchange between industry and academia, this collaboration also offers students and adult learners industry-relevant training so they can have relevant skill sets to support Singapore’s Manufacturing 2030 vision,” said Mr. Lim Kok Kiang, Principal & CEO at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. 

“Republic Polytechnic is pleased to collaborate with Micron to strengthen Singapore's competitiveness as a critical global node in the semiconductor industry. The partnership will further support the development of a strong talent pipeline through meaningful career opportunities in this vibrant sector. Staff and lifelong learners will stay up-to-date with the latest sectoral developments through various upskilling opportunities," said Ms. Jeanne Liew, Principal & CEO at Republic Polytechnic. 

“Education and innovation are the twin pillars upon which the future is built. As we embark on this collaborative journey with Micron, we do not just forge connections; we create pathways to progress. Together, we ignite intellect, empower possibilities, and engineer a future harmonizing knowledge with industry and academia with innovation. This partnership is a testament to the boundless potential that arises when education and industry unite, transcending borders to sculpt a world of excellence, discovery, and profound impact. It nurtures a talent pool for the industry, cultivating a dynamic and skilled workforce that drives transformative change,” said Mr. Soh Wai Wah, Principal & CEO at Singapore Polytechnic. 

“Temasek Polytechnic is proud to facilitate this collaborative journey with Micron and the other polytechnics. Through this partnership, polytechnic students can have valuable opportunities to participate in internships, mentoring sessions and hackathons with a leading company in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing. Such exposure will prepare our students well for the industry and enable them to seize the growing opportunities in the sector. We look forward to this partnership with Micron to nurture talents who will shape the future of Singapore’s manufacturing sector,” said Mr. Peter Lam, PCEO at Temasek Polytechnic.