JUN 2024
SMD Celebrates Remarkable Growth And Strategic Collaboration With UK Partners
Sarawak, June 26, 2024 – Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, today highlighted the rapid growth and international expansion of Sarawak Micro Devices (SMD) during a press conference.
"Just a year ago, I inaugurated SMD’s first premises at the Tegas Digital Village, starting with a team of only three engineers. It is remarkable to see that today, SMD has grown to employ 30 engineers, with plans to expand to a total of 50 engineers by the end of the year," said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
This rapid growth is a testament to SMD's unwavering commitment to excellence and its proactive development in the field of semiconductor technology. The expansion not only highlights SMD's dedication to fostering talent and innovation but also underscores its pivotal role in advancing the semiconductor industry.
Recently, at the House of Commons, UK Parliament, Premier Abang Johari witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding between SMD and the Compound Semiconductor Application Catapult (CSA Catapult).
"I am positive about the partnership, as CSA Catapult is renowned for its Innovation Centre situated within the compound semiconductor cluster in Newport, Wales, and is committed to advancing global leadership in compound semiconductors," he stated.
With the collaboration now formalized, the Premier believes SMD stands ready to commence an engaging collaborative venture with companies based in the UK in the following areas of cooperation and collaboration:
- Development of new compound semiconductor chips tailored for automotive and space applications.
- Collaborative work between SMD and UK companies to create advanced semiconductor chips. These chips will be made using a combination of compound semiconductor materials such as Gallium Nitride, Gallium Arsenide, and Silicon Carbide, which will be deposited onto existing silicon substrate technology. This will enhance the performance and functionality of sensors, potentially making them more sensitive, accurate, or efficient. The technology development partnerships will see SMD setting up an R&D office in the UK to further facilitate R&D and commercialization activities.
- Talent development initiatives encompassing academic, industry, and governmental partnerships spanning the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Sarawak, with a focus on nurturing skilled professionals to drive innovation and growth in the semiconductor sector.
"This strategic collaboration aligns perfectly with Sarawak's Semiconductor Sector 2030 aspirations, which are to establish Sarawak as a Semiconductor High-Value Added Hub in the region, and to increase the contribution to State GDP and investment from the semiconductor sector," Abang Johari noted.
SMD has been granted a 10-acre plot in the Samajaya Free Industrial Zone to expand its semiconductor operations, addressing the increasing importance of advanced chip packaging technologies for high-performance semiconductor chips.
"This strategic move will enable SMD to collaborate with private investors and partners, fostering development in rapidly growing markets such as AI and the automotive sectors," the Premier explained. "The advanced chip packaging will spin-off new R&D opportunities such as system design, chiplet design, and package design, creating new high-value job opportunities for the local industry."
To excel in these high-end visionary and collaborative endeavors, it’s crucial to assemble a team of extraordinary individuals. The Premier emphasized the need to source and develop highly skilled, innovative, and dedicated IC design engineers who can contribute significantly to the collective effort, ensuring that the product developed meets high standards of quality and functionality.
"The semiconductor chips industry is a global market that drives today’s cutting-edge technologies. For Sarawak to participate and capture the attention of global industry leaders, SMD must position itself in a region with abundant expertise, vibrant innovation, and a substantial market presence," he added.
This strategic move will enable SMD to leverage the necessary resources and networks, significantly enhancing its prospects and success in the international arena. By establishing a presence in an international hub with a strong pool of specialized talent, SMD can recruit top-tier engineers and industry experts essential for the development of advanced semiconductor technologies.
"Additionally, positioning in such a vibrant ecosystem will enhance knowledge exchange, drive cutting-edge research, and enable rapid commercialization of new technologies, thereby propelling Sarawak to the forefront of the global semiconductor industry. Furthermore, it will also be a platform for international collaboration and a gateway to attract foreign investment, enhancing Sarawak’s economic prospects," the Premier concluded.
Also present were, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Sarawak Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis and SMD Chief Executive Officer Encik Shariman Jamil.