This burgeoning demand presents a significant opportunity for the Philippines to leverage its renowned talent pool in research and development (R&D), design, and ATP (assembly, test, and packaging), according to integrated circuit (IC) design solutions provider Xynix Design.
However, industry and academic leaders emphasize the urgent need for substantial reforms in the country’s education system to produce industry-ready graduates equipped to meet the rising demand.
Brain drain to brain gain
"Microchips are the new oil," Charade Avondo, president of Xinyx Design, said in a recent media briefing. She highlighted the critical role of semiconductors in global supply chains and noted how several countries are ramping up plans to prevent supply disruptions like those experienced from 2020 to 2023."
While it is true that many Filipino IC design professionals are being recruited and poached by multinational companies overseas, the Philippines is ironically not considered a “high-value” country, especially in reference to the 2022 Chips and Science Act, which earmarks $53 billion for U.S. semiconductor research and production, Avondo said.
When asked to clarify, Avondo pointed to the country's "declining high-value" status due to the multitude of Filipino engineers leaving every year for greener pastures abroad and the lack of a sufficient pipeline of skilled graduates in IC design.
According to Avondo, there is an immediate need for higher education institutes to provide industry-focused university education and training to ensure that we produce industry-ready graduates.
Projected demand
The Department of Trade and Industry aims to develop 128,000 engineers and technicians by 2028, including 20,000 integrated circuit (IC) designers. Academic institutions like Colegio de Muntinlupa (CDM) and the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) Manila are leading efforts to address this.
CDM, supported by the Muntinlupa local government, recently launched a state-of-the-art microelectronics R&D laboratory.
During the briefing, Dr. Teresita Fortuna, CDM president, highlighted CDM's plans for a dedicated Bachelor of Science in Microelectronics program to better prepare students for the rising demand in the semiconductor industry.
TUP Manila has also advanced its IC design curriculum, with collaborations fostering hands-on training in AI and nanoelectronics.
“Our master’s program aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry,” said Dr. Lean Karlo Tolentino, TUP Manila’s College of Engineering dean.
Collaboration
Avondo also emphasized the role of partnerships, urging collaboration between government, industry, and academic institutions. “Let’s make noise about who we are as Filipino engineers,” she urged.
With efforts like these, stakeholders hope to secure the Philippines’ position as a competitive player in the global semiconductor market.
