SEMI High Tech U Sparks Interest in High Tech Career Paths by Supporting Local Students
KLA-Tencor, Advantest and Nikon among Companies Helping Students Recognize Rewarding Math and Science-Based Careers
SAN JOSE, Calif., October 4, 2011 – The Semi Foundation, part of Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), the global association serving the manufacturing supply chain for micro- and nano-electronics industries, and a number of member companies are joining forces and investing in tomorrow’s workforce by sponsoring SEMI High Tech U. SEMI High Tech U is an innovative, high-energy program designed to educate and excite high school students about rewarding career possibilities in high tech industries.
Thirty-six students from Independence, Irvington, Milpitas, Mtn. View, Westmont and other area high schools will be attending SEMI High Tech U, an industry driven math and science-based career exploration program for high school students, administered and presented by the non-profit SEMI Foundation. Principle sponsors and hosts of the program, which takes place October 4-6, are KLA-Tencor, Advantest and Nikon. San Jose State University is the higher learning partner. Other sponsors include Fremont Bank and Hauman Technologies Corporation.
“Despite current economic conditions in the U.S. and around the globe, there is real long-term growth potential for chip-based technology and products,” said SEMI Foundation vice president Lisa Anderson. “Our sponsoring companies realize that if we are to remain competitive, we must invest now in our youth, many of whom will be the high tech innovators of tomorrow.”
During the three-day program, students will attend classes taught by volunteer industry professionals at the campuses of KLA-Tencor and San Jose State University. The classes will be used as a platform for explaining the technologies used to create microchips that power virtually every electronic device made today, while also highlighting the educational pathways that lead to rewarding careers in the high-tech industry.
“The SEMI Foundation is committed to continuously developing and presenting High Tech U with learning modules that are engaging, exciting, fun, and relevant—relevant to both students and our SEMI member companies and other industry sponsors,” said Anderson. “High Tech U channels this excitement by incorporating learning modules that introduce students to leading-edge technologies that are being driven by the semiconductor industry—technologies such as nanotechnology, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and solar.”
“KLA-Tencor believes technology is the future and we’re proud to support an effective program that stimulates interest in math and science among our youth at the local level,” said Rick Wallace, president and CEO of KLA-Tencor. “Together with High Tech U, we are providing students with the rare opportunity to understand the critical connection between the classroom and the excitement of real world high-tech. Silicon Valley is the birthplace of technological innovation, and to ensure the legacy of this community continues, KLA-Tencor supports programs, such as HTU, that fosters today’s creative minds and at the same time, preserves the future of our science and engineering talent pool.”
"Advanced technology is an inherent part of young peoples' lives today. SEMI High Tech U is an exciting opportunity for them to experience how semiconductors are making that possible as well as learn how they can contribute to furthering innovation in the future." said Hamid Zarringhalam, Executive Vice President of Nikon Precision Inc. "Nikon is pleased to be able to support SEMI High Tech U with funding and volunteer instructors for this invaluable educational event."
Schedule of Visual and Interview Opportunities
Tuesday, October 4—Activities hosted at KLA-Tencor, One Technology Drive, Milpitas, Calif.
- 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Hacky Sack Catapult
Integrating numerous skills including interpretation of graphs and charts, estimation, process and quality control, the air is filled with hacky sacks as students learn how medieval technology relates to modern day chip making in a math and statistics exercise called “Statapult.”
Wednesday, October 5—Activities hosted at San Jose State University, 1 Washington Square, Engineering Building Room 285, San Jose, Calif.
- 9:30-11:30 a.m.: Human Calculator
Using a “feet on” exercise, like the game “Twister,” students try to not get tangled up as they simulate electron flow in a microprocessor
- 1-3:15 p.m.: Solar Thermal Lab Tour And Solar Cell Testing
Thursday, October 6 — Activities hosted at KLA-Tencor, One Technology Drive, Milpitas, Calif.
- 2-3 p.m.: Mock Job Interviews
Students prepare for the “real world” by practicing job interview techniques
- 4-4:30 p.m.: Graduation and Scholarship Award
Family and friends gather as students receive graduation certificates and a $1000 scholarship is awarded to one of the HTU students
About Advantest
A world-class technology company, Advantest is the leading producer of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry and a premier manufacturer of measuring instruments used in the design and production of electronic instruments and systems. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also focuses on R&D for emerging markets that benefit from advancements in nanotech and terahertz technologies, and has recently introduced critical dimension scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing, as well as a groundbreaking 3D imaging and analysis tool. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its first subsidiary in 1982, in the USA, and now has subsidiaries worldwide. More information is available at http://www.advantest.com/.
About KLA-Tencor
KLA-Tencor Corporation (NASDAQ: KLAC), a leading provider of process control and yield management solutions, partners with customers around the world to develop state-of-the-art inspection and metrology technologies. These technologies serve the semiconductor, data storage, LED, photovoltaic, and other related nanoelectronics industries. With a portfolio of industry-standard products and a team of world-class engineers and scientists, the company has created superior solutions for its customers for over 30 years. Headquartered in Milpitas, California, KLA-Tencor has dedicated customer operations and service centers around the world. Additional information may be found at www.kla-tencor.com.
About Nikon
Since 1980, Nikon Corporation has been revolutionizing lithography with innovative products and technologies. The company is a worldwide leader in lithography equipment for the microelectronics manufacturing industry with more than 8,000 exposure systems installed worldwide. Nikon offers
the most extensive selection of production-class steppers and scanners in the industry. These products serve the semiconductor, flat panel display (LCD) and thin-film magnetic head (TFH) industries. Nikon
Precision Inc. provides service, training, applications and technical support, as well as sales and marketing for Nikon lithography equipment in North America. For more information about Nikon, access our website at http://www.nikonprecision.com.
About SEMI
SEMI is the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chains for the microelectronic, display and photovoltaic industries. SEMI member companies are the engine of the future, enabling smarter, faster and more economical products that improve our lives. Since 1970, SEMI has been committed to helping members grow more profitably, create new markets and meet common industry challenges. SEMI maintains offices in Beijing, Bengaluru, Berlin, Brussels, Grenoble, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org.
About SEMI High Tech U
SEMI High Tech U is a unique program that is changing the way the semiconductor industry tackles the challenges of preparing middle and high school students for tomorrow’s workforce. The program gives students the unique opportunity to have a hands-on learning experience about microelectronics and the emerging alternative energy industries. Since the program began in 2001, 124 programs have been delivered to over 3,400 students and over 650 teachers in the US, Austria, France, Japan, Singapore, The Netherlands, The Republic of Korea, and The United Arab Emirates (program held in Singapore).
Media Contacts
For KLA-Tencor:
Meggan Powers
Sr. Director, Corporate Communications
KLA-Tencor, Inc.
408-875-8733
Meggan.powers@kla-tencor.com
For Advantest:
Janey Chan
Executive Administration
Advantest
408-969-7536
j.chan@advantest.com
For Nikon:
Marsh Portmann
Marketing Communications Manager
Nikon Precision Inc.
650-413-8132
mportmann@nikon.com
For SEMI:
Gary Summers
Principal
Lewis & Summers PR
925-330-6055
gary@prwebsite.com
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