University of Cincinnati joins 11 Midwest institutions to launch semiconductor-focused network
Partnership will support domestic industry growth
The University of Cincinnati will partner with colleges and universities in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana to form the Midwest Regional Network to Address National Needs in Semiconductor and Microelectronics.
A dozen higher education institutions have signed on so far to develop innovative solutions to best support the onshoring of the advanced semiconductor and microelectronics industry and address the industries’ research and workforce needs.
University of Cincinnati President Neville G. Pinto
“The urgency has never been greater for a collaborative approach to address the global semiconductor shortage,” said University of Cincinnati President Neville G. Pinto. “This network of Midwest academic institutions represents an enormous opportunity for our region to lead in microelectronics — both in technological advancement and workforce development. Together with industry partners like Intel, I’m confident that we will play a crucial role in transforming the Silicon Heartland vision into reality.”
Joining UC in the network are:
- Ohio State University
- Case Western Reserve University
- University of Dayton
- Columbus State Community College
- Lorain County Community College
- Michigan State University
- Purdue University
- Sinclair Community College
- University of Michigan
- University of Notre Dame
- Wright State University
This network of Midwest academic institutions represents an enormous opportunity for our region to lead in microelectronics — both in technological advancement and workforce development.
UC President Neville G. Pinto
Each institution’s president recently signed a memorandum of understanding to form this network, which is intended to be open and is expected to grow beyond these initial institutions.
The network is a recognition of the recent decision by Intel Corporation to build $20 billion worth of new, leading-edge chip factories in Ohio and to address the broader, national efforts to promote U.S. leadership in semiconductors and microelectronics.
University of Cincinnati Chief Innovation Officer David J. Adams
“This announcement is a game changer. This highly innovative approach illustrates that we’re all in this together when it comes to meeting industry workforce and research needs,” said David J. Adams, chief innovation officer for the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Innovation District. UC’s participation in this consortium will strengthen our collective ‘region’ and support the growth of companies. Industry’s need for talent — people, research and educational resources — will be meaningfully impacted as a result.”
Partner institutions will leverage existing research, curricular and experiential learning assets, capabilities and expertise within the region and grow the collective capacity to support the domestic growth of robust semiconductor and microelectronics innovation and supply chain ecosystems.
Initial activities for the network include:
- Develop a common, secure, information-sharing platform to make it easier to identify expertise, equipment, facilities and curricular programs of interest to facilitate joint programming, research, and/or outreach initiatives across the network.
- Encourage regional collaborations and promote workshops around opportunities to pursue funding that will grow regional capacity to support identified needs across the semiconductor and microelectronics ecosystems.
- Develop pilot mechanisms to connect existing research, facilities and curricular/training assets across the region to optimize their use to address regional needs and opportunities.
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