Preferential policies to be introduced for learners in semiconductor academic programs

On December 9, 2024, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) issued Official Letter No. 7781/BGDĐT-GDĐH on implementing the Program “Developing Human Resources for the Semiconductor Industry Through 2030, with Orientations Toward 2050.”

This is intended to implement the Prime Minister’s directions in Directive No. 43/CT-TTg of 2024 on accelerating human resource training for the semiconductor industry and several core digital technology industries, as well as the tasks assigned by the Prime Minister in the aforementioned decisions on promoting human resource training to support the development of the semiconductor industry.

MOET requests that training institutions focus on implementing the following key tasks for 2025 specified in Official Letter No. 7781/BGDĐT-GDĐH of 2024:

(1) Academic Program Design and Development

– Proactively review, design, and develop academic programs at all higher education levels to provide high-quality human resources for the development of Vietnam’s semiconductor industry, with a focus on integration and meeting international standards.

– Explore the development of academic programs with specializations or tracks for training engineers with in-depth semiconductor expertise within related fields in which institutions are already authorized to provide training, or concentrate resources on developing plans to introduce new fields of study that train human resources to support the development of Vietnam’s semiconductor industry across the three stages of its value chain (design, manufacturing, and testing and packaging), in line with each institution’s strengths, actual capacity, objectives, and development strategy.

– Where it is necessary to introduce a pilot semiconductor field-of-study code, training institutions should conduct research and prepare documentation and evidence demonstrating compliance with the conditions set out in Article 6 of Circular No. 09/2022/TT-BGDĐT, providing a basis for MOET to consider adding the pilot semiconductor field-of-study code to the list of pilot fields of study.

(2) Lecturer Development

– Prioritize the selection and nomination of lecturers for doctoral and postdoctoral studies in specialized semiconductor fields at reputable training institutions worldwide under Project 89. Prioritize funding for training and professional development to enhance the capacity of lecturers specializing in the semiconductor industry.

– Adopt policies to attract foreign and overseas Vietnamese lecturers and experts working at training institutions, research institutions, and semiconductor businesses abroad to work at training institutions.

– Proactively conduct lecturer exchanges in the semiconductor industry with foreign training institutions; prioritize sending administrators and lecturers for training, professional development, study, and work at training institutions and semiconductor businesses in countries with developed semiconductor industries.

(3) Development of Facilities and Learning Resources

– Focus on mobilizing the maximum resources available from the state, businesses, and training institutions to develop semiconductor learning resources, laboratories, and practical training facilities; strengthen cooperation among training institutions and between training institutions and businesses, particularly in sharing, jointly using, and effectively utilizing investment resources and existing facilities.

– Learn from the experience of foreign training institutions and businesses in countries with developed semiconductor industries in investing in, establishing, and developing semiconductor laboratories.

– Training institutions with an established track record and reputation in semiconductor training should form alliances and collaborate to develop shared digital learning resources and online courses.

(4) Organization of Admissions and Training

– Explore establishing dedicated academic units (schools, faculties, Divisions, etc.) to prioritize and concentrate on semiconductor training and research.

– Develop admissions plans that ensure both quantity and quality; balance enrollment quotas while giving priority to allocating more places to fields of study/academic programs with semiconductor specializations or in-depth semiconductor tracks.

– Implement internal training quality assurance activities and academic program quality accreditation. Institutions are encouraged to choose academic program quality accreditation against international standards.

(5) Measures to Support Learners

– Adopt preferential policies, including scholarships, tuition exemptions and reductions, financial support, dormitory accommodation, and other preferential and support policies for learners in semiconductor academic programs.

– Strengthen cooperation with businesses in the semiconductor integrated circuit sector to secure business funding or scholarships, provide practical training and internship opportunities for students, and recruit and employ graduates of semiconductor academic programs.

(6) Linking Training, Research, and Innovation Activities

– Promote cooperation among training institutions in training and research to establish a network for training high-quality human resources to support the development of Vietnam’s semiconductor industry.

– Adopt policies that encourage and give priority to lecturers, students, learners, and PhD candidates in forming research groups and strong research groups to conduct scientific research on topics in the semiconductor industry; prioritize financial support for research groups collaborating with businesses operating in the semiconductor industry.

– Proactively promote international cooperation with domestic and international training institutions that have strengths and established reputations in the semiconductor field.

– Take the initiative to organize or actively participate in domestic and international conferences, seminars, and meetings on human resource training for the semiconductor industry.

– Strengthen cooperation with businesses operating in the semiconductor industry to develop academic programs and learning resources and to establish and utilize laboratories and practical training facilities for training, research, and innovation activities.

Based on the guidance above, training institutions should exercise their autonomy to develop their own human resource training plans to support semiconductor industry development, and coordinate with MOET and relevant parties to ensure coordinated and effective implementation.

Before December 25, 2024, training institutions must report to MOET (through the Department of Higher Education) on the work undertaken in accordance with the above guidance and submit their proposed projects for participation in Program 1017 (if any).

Training institutions should proactively coordinate with MOET, relevant ministries and sectors, their direct supervisory authorities, and the People’s Committees of the provinces and centrally governed cities where they are headquartered to effectively implement the tasks of Program 1017.

For more information, see Official Letter No. 7781/BGDĐT-GDĐH, issued on December 9, 2024.

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.