GEORGE TOWN – Memory and electronics storage producer Micron Malaysia will inject RM1 million to pursue research and development (R&D) opportunities in the country, in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
Based in the Batu Kawan Free Industrial Estate, Micron’s R&D venture with the university signals a likely trend for multinationals to seek partnerships with local institutions of higher learning for mutual benefits in the area of storage semiconductors.
Micron Malaysia corporate vice-president and country manager Amarjit Singh Sandhu said that the funding will focus on semiconductor materials, smart manufacturing and artificial intelligence, which are key in reinforcing the company’s leadership and centre of excellence for solid state drive assembly in Malaysia.
“USM is going to be our first university partner to receive our funding to conduct research programmes that could potentially improve manufacturing efficiency,” he said.
In the last decade, Malaysia has become critical to our global manufacturing footprint. We are investing in technology and sustainable operations for people and communities in Malaysia.”
Micron’s global headquarters are located in Boise, Idaho, United States.
Its global brands are Micron, Crucial and Ballistix. It is the only company that manufactures today’s major memory and storage technologies, covering DRAM, NAND, NOR, and 3D XPoint memory.
Micron also plans to hire more engineers in the coming years to support its expansion.
Since its greenfield investment of US$350 million in Penang in 2018, Micron has steadily grown its presence in Malaysia to establish its Centre of Excellence for solid state drive assembly and test here.
With close to 4,000 team members currently, we plan to generate another 2,000 jobs over the next three to four years to fuel new device experiences and infrastructure innovation across the data center and the intelligent edge,” it says, in reference to the Malaysian operations, on its website.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow attended the teleconferencing session with representatives from Micron, USM and the state government yesterday before witnessing the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Micron and USM virtually.
He noted that Micron has liaised globally with 60 institutions of higher learning during the pandemic, while also aiding students in the academic classes.
Micron has reportedly also commenced construction of a second manufacturing facility, which should be ready by December.
USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan said that the university is appreciative of Micron’s sponsorship, and he expressed hope that the collaboration would be a long-term one. – The Vibes, January 8, 2022
