Purdue signs semiconductor agreement with Panama
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Purdue University is continuing to grow its international partnerships related to semiconductors.
The university announced Thursday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the country of Panama to enhance educational opportunities and workforce development with a focus on strengthening the country’s semiconductor industry.
As part of the MOU, the partners also aim to create training programs, research opportunities, and academic exchanges in other fields, including cybersecurity and supply chain management.
The agreement was signed by Purdue President Mung Chiang and Ramón E. Martínez de la Guardia, Panama’s ambassador to the U.S., in a ceremony at the Panamanian embassy in Washington D.C.
“At Purdue University, we are proud to collaborate with the Republic of Panama on this key initiative, advancing innovation and educational cooperation in emerging technologies and strategic supply chains, especially in semiconductors,” Chiang said in a news release. “This MOU underscores Purdue’s strength as America’s leading university in semiconductors, recognized for our trailblazing workforce development efforts, cutting-edge research and growing global partnerships with like-minded partners.”
The partners also plan to explore the feasibility of establishing a Global Workforce Development Center for Advanced Technology in Panama to support regional efforts in semiconductors, cybersecurity and other emerging technologies, Purdue said.
“Together with Purdue University, we aim to cultivate an innovative ecosystem that will drive economic and human resource development while positioning Panama as a regional leader in technology and semiconductor advancements,” said José Alejandro Rojas, Panamanian minister counselor for private investment.
The MOU comes more than a year after the U.S. State Department said it would collaborate with the Panamanian government and other countries to find ways to grow the global semiconductor ecosystem.
In July, Purdue inked a similar agreement with the Dominican Republic, and has also made agreements with other international industry partners, including French software maker Dassault Systèmes and Belgium-based semiconductor research company Imec.
Additionally, South Korea-based semiconductor and memory chip maker is planning to build a nearly $4 billion advanced packaging fabrication and R&D facility for microelectronics in West Lafayette.