“GOVERNMENT must be more proactive to grow the lucrative integrated circuit (IC) design industry and produce around 20,000 highly qualified engineers,” Charade Avondo, president of Xinyx Design said in an roundtable. She clarified that this proactivity is necessary to meet the huge demand in the global market for IC design needed for 5G, AI, IoT and advanced automotive, medical, military electronics applications.
Part of the “production” of the needed engineers is support for the engineering school system. Avondo clarified that a crucial link to the reach the targeted number of engineers, is the participation of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and the Commission of Higher Education (CHEd).
“Filipino IC engineers are considered to be the “best of the best” in the world. But that is a paradox. Our engineers are poached but multinationals, but ironically, we aren’t a high-value country,” Avondo explained. She said this in reference to the US 2022 Chips and Science Act which earmarks $53B for semiconductor research and production in America.
During the roundtable, Dr. Teresita Fortuna, dean of the Colegio de Muntinlupa (CDM) which is an all-engineering municipal education institution, shared her vision of creating a Silicon Valley of the Philippines in Muntinlupa—a vision shared by the city’s mayor Ruffy Biazon.
“The Muntinlupa LGU has laid the groundwork for making the city the center of Metro Manila’s microelectronics studies. We want it to be known as the birthplace of future microelectronics engineers,” Fortuna said. She added that the CDM is open to residents of other cities.
Fortuna is the proponent of the Microelectronics Research and Development Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility equipped with industry-grade software from Synopsys. The laboratory was launched last November 20, 2024 and is funded by the Muntinlupa City government. It provides students with hands-on experiences and up-to-date tools for microelectronics, including IC design.
Fortuna echoed the sentiment of Avondo in the needed improvements and “discipling the process” by which the DoST operates. “This does not mean the agency is not doing its job, but there are certain nuances in the microelectronics industry that needs particular attention,” she said. Fortuna was part of the agency for 21 years, giving her a deep insight in its goals and connecting it to the improvement of the microelectronics industry.
Dr. Lean Tolentino, dean at the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) said that there is a need for advanced IC design education. He highlighted how the Master’s Program at TUP is focused on producing highly competent professionals.
“By providing advanced education and training, we hope we can contribute significantly to the pool of skilled engineers that the industry urgently needs,” Tolentino shared. TUP’s program offers specialized courses and hands-on training in microelectronics, including collaboration with the National Sun Yat Sen University, College of Advanced Engineering and Microelectronics in Taiwan.
TUP Manila houses the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Nanoelectronics (CAIN) focused on advancing AI and nanoelectronics technologies.
Just recently, Xynix Designs launched the Muntinlupa Innovation and Design (MIND) Hub—a collaborative initiative between industry, academia, and government to foster innovation and education in integrated circuit (IC) design in the Philippines.
According to Avondo, the MIND Hub will play a pivotal role in achieving the national goal of producing 20,000 IC designers within the next five years. By collaborating with universities and colleges to develop specialized IC design curricula, the MIND Hub can ensure that future engineers are equipped with the necessary skills to meet industry demands. Additionally, through strong industry partnerships, the hub can provide students with invaluable real-world experience through internships, apprenticeships, and mentorship programs.
To further accelerate the development of IC design talent, the MIND Hub will provide students and researchers with access to state-of-the-art EDA tools, fabrication facilities, and other essential resources. By offering practical workshops and training programs, the hub will equip students with the hands-on skills needed to design and implement complex ICs.
The MIND Hub will also foster a culture of research and innovation by supporting research projects, organizing conferences, and encouraging collaborations between academia and industry. By promoting intellectual property development, the hub can contribute to the growth of a vibrant IC design ecosystem in the Philippines. “By investing in IC design education and research, the Philippines can strengthen its position as a global leader in the semiconductor industry and drive economic growth and innovation. This is why government’s strong and unwavering participation is crucial,” Avondo concluded.
