The Grainger College of Engineering has a strong legacy and broad expertise in microelectronics and semiconductors. A collaboration with industry giant Samsung Austin Semiconductor gave Grainger Engineering students an insider look at the company and a region attractive to young professionals.

In August 2024, a group of Grainger Engineering students and faculty visited the Samsung Austin Semiconductor campus for a two-day tour of the facilities and surrounding area in Austin, Texas. This visit is part of a multi-year partnership with Samsung Austin Semiconductor. During the visit, Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced that Grainger Engineering would receive an additional $1 million investment.

The 29 students who attended the trip are all recipients of the Samsung Technology Track Scholarships and came from five departments across Grainger Engineering: electrical and computer engineering; industrial and enterprise systems engineering; materials science and engineering; mechanical science and engineering; and nuclear, plasma and radiological engineering. The partnership covers six departments in total.

Over two days, the Grainger Engineering group toured the semiconductor facilities at Samsung Austin Semiconductor and met with subject matter experts. They also experienced local attractions: after a visit to the Museum of Ice Cream, they had the chance to try some good old-fashioned Texas BBQ at the County Line and enjoyed a scenic river boat cruise in downtown Austin.

Visit highlights included a talk from ECE alumnus Bernard Ko who now works at Samsung Austin Semiconductor. Ko spoke about the Nano Fabrication Laboratory within ECE where students can make four-inch wafers, and how his time at Illinois sparked his interest in semiconductors leading to a career at Samsung.

The close industry collaboration reflects the Grainger Engineering commitment to advancing education and research in order to train future innovators in the US semiconductor manufacturing workforce.

Since fall 2024, Grainger Engineering is offering a new Minor in Semiconductor Engineering to meet the growing demands of the semiconductor industry. The college has more than 75 related courses in microelectronics, as well as housing dedicated centers and partnerships focused on accelerated performance and advanced technologies.

“We believe that continued partnerships and initiatives with four-year institutions such as the U. of I. will be vital to increase participation in engineering programs and strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem,” said Samsung Austin Semiconductor corporate vice president Jon Taylor.

“Last spring, when I was talking with high school students who were starting their freshman year, they heard about the Samsung program, so they wanted to come to Illinois,” said Bruce Hajek, ECE Professor and Leonard C. and Mary Lou Hoeft Endowed Chair in Engineering. “Having a long-term relationship where we build this up, build up the excitement and get more alumni at Samsung who will communicate with the students back in Urbana, that will be a good pipeline.”