45 Sarawak semiconductor graduates secure jobs with industry leaders

KUCHING, Sept 15: Sarawak’s efforts to develop local talent for the semiconductor industry are gaining momentum, with all 45 graduates from the Semiconductor Mastery CENTEXS-SMD programme securing jobs with leading industry players.

The graduates have joined companies including SMD Semiconductor, Melexis and X-FAB, highlighting the growing demand for skilled talent in the sector.

Chairman of CENTEXS, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani said the achievement demonstrated the effectiveness of the programme in producing an industry-ready workforce.

“All 45 graduates have secured jobs with leading companies in the semiconductor industry, proving the effectiveness of this programme in producing an industry-ready workforce,” he said.

He said the achievement also reflected the semiconductor industry’s growing shift from traditional manufacturing towards chip design, innovation and other high-value activities.

As part of efforts to strengthen local capabilities, more than 60 participants from 16 local higher education institutions are taking part in the SMD Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Competition 2025.

The competition provides local students with an opportunity to develop actual chip designs while gaining practical exposure to the integrated circuit design process.

Meanwhile, Sarawak State Financial Secretary and SMD Semiconductor Chairman, Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar said the programme allows participants to apply their IC design knowledge through to the fabrication stage.

“This is an important achievement because it proves that with the right platform, guidance and opportunities, young Sarawakians possess high-level talent and are capable of translating what they learn into actual chip designs,” he added.

According to him, the initiative is expected to further strengthen local talent development, particularly in chip design, while supporting Sarawak’s aspiration to build a high-value semiconductor ecosystem. – TVS