As semiconductor technology has emerged as a strategic field with a critical role in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the restructuring of global industrial supply chains, strengthening academic exchange, research collaboration, and international partnerships has become increasingly important for higher education and the development of highly qualified human resources. With the aim of promoting academic exchange and expanding international collaboration in semiconductor technology and industrial supply chains, the University of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Physics Association (HPA) and the Ho Chi Minh City Semiconductor Industry Association (HSIA), organized a Scientific Seminar and Discussion on Collaboration in Semiconductor Technology and Industrial Supply Chains. The event provided a platform for scientists, experts, faculty members, and representatives from organizations in the semiconductor sector to exchange perspectives on emerging technological trends, transformations in the global semiconductor value chain, and potential opportunities for collaboration in education and research.
At the seminar, Prof. Yeu Chung Lin delivered a presentation entitled “The Evolution of Economic Value Creation and Supply Chain,” examining the evolution of economic value creation in the semiconductor industry and the corresponding transformation of its global supply chain. The presentation traced the development of the semiconductor industry from two foundational innovations - the silicon transistor and the integrated circuit (IC) - which established a scalable technological platform and enabled more than thirty generations of continuous innovation under Moore’s Law. Building on this foundation, semiconductor technology has gradually evolved from lithography-driven scaling toward three-dimensional device architectures and Beyond Moore technologies, including FinFETs, GAAFETs, CFETs, 2D transistors, advanced memories, chiplets, heterogeneous integration, CoWoS, SoIC, silicon photonics, and co-packaged optics.
Notably, as continued process scaling increasingly approaches physical and economic limits, the focus of value creation in the semiconductor industry is shifting from device miniaturization toward advanced packaging and system integration. These developments are transforming not only semiconductor technologies but also the industry’s business models and global supply chain structure. Prof. Yeu Chung Lin also examined the evolution of semiconductor business models, from Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs) toward specialized models such as foundries, fabless companies, and Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) providers, while highlighting the ongoing reintegration and expansion of the semiconductor supply chain. As the semiconductor industry becomes increasingly intertwined with the development of artificial intelligence (AI), these transformations are significantly reshaping the distribution of economic value, competitive advantages, and the structure of the global semiconductor ecosystem.
Following the presentation, representatives of the Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics, University of Science, VNU-HCM, delivered a presentation entitled “Semiconductor Education, Research at the University of Science, VNU-HCM, and Collaboration Opportunities with Taiwan.” The presentation highlighted the University’s directions and activities in semiconductor education and research, while also outlining potential opportunities for collaboration with Taiwanese partners and institutions in human resource development, scientific research, and technology development.
Through the discussions and presentations, the seminar provided a comprehensive perspective on the development of the semiconductor industry from multiple dimensions, including technology, economics, supply chains, education, and research. It also highlighted practical opportunities for collaboration among higher education institutions, scientific organizations, and industry stakeholders. For the University of Science, VNU-HCM, the event further reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening connections with scientific organizations, enterprises, and international partners, particularly in strategic technology fields. Expanding collaboration in semiconductor technology not only contributes to enhancing the University’s educational and research capabilities but also creates greater opportunities for faculty members, researchers, and students to access international knowledge, technologies, and academic networks.
Looking ahead, strengthening academic exchange and international collaboration in the semiconductor sector will provide an important foundation for the University to further leverage its strengths in fundamental sciences, applied sciences, and interdisciplinary research, while contributing to the development of highly qualified human resources and Vietnam’s semiconductor ecosystem as the country becomes increasingly integrated into global technology value chains.
