Shah alam: A total of 10,000 local engineers are set to receive training in the semiconductor field through a programme initiated by the UK’s semiconductor design firm, Arm, over the next decade, as announced by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the programme, Arm On-Demand, represents the first Arm-led training initiative in Malaysia and involves collaboration with the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM). This initiative aligns with the country’s strategic goals to expedite the development of homegrown chips within five to 10 years, driven by the increasing global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and data centre technologies.
The programme aims to train approximately 1,000 engineers annually, with the first cohort of 400 engineers already participating. “So, if we run two or three cohorts, we can reach that target each year,” Amirudin stated during the programme’s launch event.
A key feature of the event was the signing ceremony of a partnership agreement between Arm, ASEM, and 20 Malaysian universities, signifying a unified commitment to advancing semiconductor education and research.
The programme involves over 40 universities and engineers from more than 80 companies within the semiconductor and technology sectors, demonstrating a robust national interest in developing advanced chip design talent.
Amirudin highlighted that the training, focusing on front-end integrated circuit (IC) design, commenced earlier this year with the IC Design Part 1 course in Puchong, positioning Malaysia as a prominent player in the semiconductor industry.
Currently, the Selangor state government has allocated between RM5 million and RM10 million annually to enhance the front end of the semiconductor value chain. Additionally, the federal government, via the Economy Ministry, has increased its support to RM100 million from a previous RM60 million, indicating strong national confidence in the programme. Total investments are projected to surpass RM100 million over the next decade.
Amirudin expressed that the Arm On-Demand Programme could transition Selangor and Malaysia from dependency on foreign direct investment to nurturing leaders and startups that could eventually evolve into major companies investing and exporting overseas.
He emphasized the need for a technological ecosystem where Malaysian companies not only export but also move up the economic value chain, utilising and consuming these chips. “We must move towards owning the intellectual property so that these chips are not just labelled ‘Assembled in Selangor’, but ‘Designed in Selangor’, ‘Made in Malaysia’,” Amirudin asserted.
These ambitions will be outlined in Selangor Plan 2, scheduled for launch next year. Amirudin is confident that semiconductor and electrical and electronics engineering will be prioritized in the forthcoming 13th Malaysia Plan, to be unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 31.
Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong and Selangor State Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade and Mobility Ng Sze Han were present at the ceremony.