On March 9, Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) published a research report: "Enhancing the development of high-tech human resources to enhance Vietnam's competitiveness in the semiconductor industry".
This report is a US State Department-sponsored initiative to strengthen Vietnam as a key link in the global semiconductor supply chain, advancing the US strategic interest in gaining trusted and reliable partners in high-tech manufacturing.
The report builds on a series of activities involving semiconductor researchers and companies from around the world. In June 2024, the FUV research team visited Taipei and Hsinchu, Taiwan (China) to work with key universities and industry leaders to better understand curriculum development and workforce needs.
In the United States, FUV met with senior engineers and visited US educational institutions to understand industry needs and educational strategies. Workshops organized by FUV with key stakeholders in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in March and April 2024 further identified gaps in workforce development and recommendations for STEM education.
 |
| Seminar on Semiconductors with the participation of representatives from ministries, businesses and educational institutions in Hanoi in April 2024. (Source: Fulbright University Vietnam) |
The best practices highlighted in this study reflect the United States’ commitment to fostering secure, diverse, and resilient supply chains, and also align with Vietnam’s interest in developing human resources in high-tech sectors, particularly in the semiconductor industry, as part of its broader economic and social development goals.
Main content of the report :
The report highlights the pivotal role Vietnam can play in supporting the US and global semiconductor supply chain, provided it continues to make strategic investments in workforce training and industry collaboration. The data collected includes:
Vietnam's competitive advantages : Proximity to important semiconductor hubs such as Japan and South Korea as well as strong relations with the United States make Vietnam a prime candidate for integration into secure supply chains .
Workforce Gaps and Solutions : Only 10% of Vietnam’s current hardware engineers meet the skills requirements of the semiconductor industry . To address this issue, the US-Vietnam partnership can play an important role in expanding training programs that match the industry’s needs, ensuring a pool of highly skilled talent to support manufacturing.
University - Industry Collaboration : The report emphasizes the need for direct collaboration between universities and businesses to close the skills gap, reduce dependence on foreign on- the - job training, and boost the work readiness of the Vietnamese workforce for international companies, including U.S. companies.
 |
| The project team and semiconductor experts on a field trip to the United States in June 2024. (Source: Fulbright University Vietnam) |
Main recommendations :
Based on the research findings, the report makes recommendations for three key stakeholders: government, educational institutions and the private sector.
Develop specialized training programs : Universities need to develop and implement training programs that are close to the actual needs of businesses, especially in segments such as Assembly, Testing and Packaging ( ATP ) and Integrated Circuit ( IC ) design, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Building semiconductor training centers : Government and businesses need to work together to invest in modern training centers where students can access advanced technology and gain practical experience.
Attracting teaching experts and improving remuneration : Attracting leading experts to teach and improving remuneration policies to retain talent will ensure long - term training quality .
Strengthening university - industry cooperation : Closer cooperation between universities and enterprises is key to reducing skills gaps, shortening practical training time and enhancing industry competitiveness. In particular , the government needs to fund pilot projects between universities and enterprises so that both sides have the conditions to practice and build experience profiles.
The synchronous implementation of these solutions will help Vietnam narrow the gap between human resource supply and demand and affirm its position in the global semiconductor industry. If it makes good use of current opportunities, Vietnam has the potential to become an important link in the global semiconductor value chain.
The report demonstrates Fulbright University Vietnam's commitment to playing a pioneering role, contributing to Vietnam's socio-economic progress through research and education.
Detailed and comprehensive information on the report's findings and recommendations will be widely shared with stakeholders, from government to educational institutions and the business sector, to support strategic decision-making and resource optimization for Vietnam's semiconductor industry.
The US grant in partnership with FUV has supported 10 Vietnamese lecturers from five educational institutions to travel to Taiwan (China) to acquire specialized knowledge in assembly, testing, and packaging, and gain practical experience working with advanced equipment.
 |
| A group of Vietnamese lecturers attended the Assembly, Testing and Packaging (ATP) training course in Taiwan (China) in December 2024. |
Dr. Le Quan, lecturer of Humanitarian Engineering, Fulbright University Vietnam, shared the importance of the report: “Vietnam is at a pivotal moment in the global semiconductor sector. With its strategic geographical location and potential high-tech workforce, we are holding significant opportunities in the semiconductor industry. In particular, national policies and continuous investments in the industry to enhance capacity and integrate deeper into the global supply chain enable Vietnam to become a key player in this field.”
About Fulbright University Vietnam
Established in 2016 under the Vietnam-US partnership, Fulbright University Vietnam is Vietnam’s first private, not-for-profit, liberal arts university. Globally integrated yet deeply rooted in Vietnamese society, Fulbright is dedicated to providing world-class undergraduate and graduate education. By applying the latest advances in management design, teaching, learning, technology, and other areas, Fulbright seeks to position itself as an innovative, pioneering, globally integrated Vietnamese university. Fulbright University Vietnam is committed to serving Vietnamese society through rigorous research and community service.
Source
Comment (0)