By Danial Dzulkifly
KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 — The Selangor government is in talks with global semiconductor leader Arm Holdings Plc (ARM) to train students at the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (Asem), as part of efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s integrated circuit (IC) design sector.
State executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han said discussions with ARM, the Economy Ministry, and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority are underway to integrate the training programme into Selangor’s IC Design Park.
“There are 60 students currently undergoing upskilling courses at our IC Design Park, and we hope this collaboration with ARM will enhance their training while accelerating the growth of our semiconductor industry,” he said on the sidelines of the signing ceremony between ARM and the federal government at the Shangri-La Hotel yesterday.
The 60 Asem trainees also accompanied Ng and Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) chief executive officer Yong Kai Ping at the event.
Ng described the ARM-Malaysia partnership as a potential “game changer” for the nation’s semiconductor sector, particularly in IC design, a key area for value creation in the global supply chain.
He also said Selangor is already home to several promising semiconductor startups at IC Design Park, with more set to join IC Design Park 2 in Cyberjaya.
“This is an excellent platform for IC design companies to expand and thrive in this industry,” he said.
[caption id="attachment_367130" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari (left) and Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli sign an officiation plaque at the launch of Malaysia’s first IC Design Park at the Puchong Financial Corporate Centre on August 6, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
The signing ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, formalised Malaysia’s strategic partnership with ARM to advance its semiconductor industry beyond backend assembly and testing, focusing on IC design, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
Asem, formerly known as Al Nusantara, has launched two major training initiatives — the National Semiconductor Excellence Programme and the Global Semiconductor Exchange Programme, to equip university students, fresh graduates, and professionals with skills in chip design, testing, and verification.
Meanwhile, Selangor’s first IC Design Park in Puchong has already attracted RM2.6 billion in investment and funding, establishing itself as a hub for semiconductor startups.
Its rapid growth has prompted Sidec to develop a second phase in Cyberjaya in collaboration with Cyberview, due to be launched sometime this year.
