SUNY POLY Invests in Semiconductor Research

SUNY Polytechnic Institute continues to prepare students to become the next generation of employees in the semiconductor industry.

Research in industry complements the field of nanotechnology.

“Micron, Wolfspeed, companies like Indium Corporation, Global, Foundries, some of the major leaders, not just in the region, but perhaps in the country and the world. So these companies are developing this potential. They represent a potential $1 billion industrial capacity for our region. So it’s critical that we focus on supporting not only research but workforce development in these areas,” said Winston Oluwole Soboyejo, president of SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited the school Thursday as it celebrates the expansion of its semiconductor processing and packaging research, education and training center.

The chancellor said the SUNY system is seeing increased interest in STEM fields.

Right now, he said, the biggest challenge is that applications for federal student aid are down.

“We know that if students don’t know what financial aid is available to them, they’re less likely to choose college. So we’re working very hard this summer to make sure students have the support they need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid,” King Jr. said.

The hope is that interest in SUNY Poly will continue to grow as more investments are made in semiconductor research, education and training — all helping to position the institute as the premier public polytechnic in the state and the nation.

“Prospective new students should expect to see over the next year new labs that they will have access to, which will really increase what we offer in terms of theory and practice that will expose them to cutting-edge infrastructure, not only for semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, but also in the biotechnology fields,” said Oluwole Soboyejo.

The state’s recent $4 million investment projects include the creation of semiconductor training and research facilities and other demand-driven programs.