Midwest semiconductor network adds members, establishes initial focus

The network of colleges and universities working to address the needs of the semiconductor industry in the Midwest is adding to the group. Nine more institutions have joined the network – now including schools from Illinois, in addition to Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

Earlier this year, 11 partners came together with Ohio State to form the Midwest Regional Network to Address National Needs in Semiconductor and Microelectronics. New to the network are: Illinois Institute of Technology, Ivy Tech Community College, Kent State University, Miami University, Ohio University, University of Chicago, University of Toledo and Youngstown State University.

The network is a recognition of the recent decision by Intel Corporation to build new, leading-edge chip factories in Ohio and to address the broader, national efforts to promote U.S. leadership in semiconductors and microelectronics.

“Engaging this broad academic network has great potential to address the research and education needs of this burgeoning industry and shape the future economic prosperity of our region for generations to come,” says Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska, vice president for knowledge enterprise at Ohio State and chair of the network’s steering committee.

The network is working to collaboratively develop innovative solutions in higher education to best support the onshoring of the advanced semiconductor and microelectronics industry and address the industries’ needs.

The network has agreed to initially focus on two areas: workforce development and upcoming federal research opportunities. As the plants begin to come online, the workforce will need to be ready to fill those jobs and the network is currently looking at how they can work together to address those needs. The network also anticipates funding opportunities to become available and is working on a plan to best align to provide competitive proposals for these dollars.