Purdue expands semiconductor professional education portfolio to advance global workforce development

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University is expanding its semiconductor professional education by collaborating with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in Taiwan to deliver the Semiconductor Academy — a jointly developed program that brings together internationally recognized faculty and global perspectives. 

The Semiconductor Academy reflects Purdue’s continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality semiconductor education through strategic global partnerships. By combining Purdue’s leadership in semiconductor workforce development with NYCU’s academic expertise, the program offers learners a unique opportunity to gain insight into both domestic and international semiconductor ecosystems.    

“Semiconductor innovation requires a deep understanding of the entire technology stack,” said Mark Lundstrom, Purdue’s John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering. “By bringing together the strengths of both Purdue and NYCU, the Semiconductor Academy provides learners with a rigorous, globally informed perspective on the technologies shaping the future of the industry.” 

In addition to the Semiconductor Academy, Purdue is also introducing the Semiconductor Advanced Engineering series, a collection of industry-focused courses derived from existing semiconductor curricula. These professional development offerings are designed to translate Purdue’s academic expertise into accessible learning experiences for working professionals. Each course consists of approximately 15 hours of content, enabling learners to build targeted skills aligned with evolving industry needs. 

“These offerings are designed to translate rigorous, graduate-level semiconductor education into flexible, industry-relevant experience,” said Milind Kulkarni, the Michael and Katherine Birck Head of the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and academic lead of the Robert H. Buckman College of Engineering Online Education Program. “By combining a strong academic foundation with practical application, we are enabling professionals to build targeted skills that align with the evolving needs of the semiconductor workforce.”

Purdue’s leadership in semiconductor education and research provides a strong foundation for these efforts. With one of the nation’s largest STEM enrollments, extensive industry partnership and a comprehensive semiconductor talent development ecosystem, Purdue continues to play a central role in strengthening the global semiconductor workforce. 

“At Purdue, we are building the next generation of semiconductor talent through flexible, industry‑aligned learning opportunities designed for a global workforce,” said Dimitrios Peroulis, senior vice president for partnerships and online at Purdue University. “The Semiconductor Academy brings together world‑class technical expertise and accessible learning experiences to empower professionals worldwide to shape the future of semiconductor innovation.” 

The Semiconductor Academy will also be featured on SEMI University (SEMI U), a global digital learning platform that connects learners, institutions and industry professionals across the semiconductor ecosystem. This expanded distribution enables Purdue to reach learners at an international scale, further supporting workforce development efforts worldwide while increasing accessibility and flexibility for working professionals. 

Courses within the Semiconductor Academy are designed to be stackable and flexible. Each individual course is designed with two hours of content, which allows learners to tailor their experience based on professional goals and areas of interest. 

The courses will cover a wide array of some of the most impactful topics in semiconductor technology, including: 

• Chip design for AI 
• Packaging, reliability and characterization 
• Integrated circuit design, electronic design automation and analog 
• Semiconductor materials and devices 
• Supply chain challenges, management and leadership in the semiconductor industry 

In addition, learners accessing courses through SEMI U may benefit from additional platform-specific pricing incentives, further expanding access to high-quality semiconductor education.  

Purdue’s semiconductor professional education portfolio is designed to meet the evolving needs of a rapidly growing industry. Offerings are structured to be flexible and stackable, allowing learners and organizations to tailor their experience based on specific workforce needs and professional goals. Courses emphasize real-world application and are developed and taught by faculty with deep expertise across semiconductor disciplines, ensuring content remains aligned with current industry challenges and innovations. While the portfolio is designed with industry upskilling in mind, it remains accessible to all learners seeking to enter or grow within the semiconductor field. 

To learn more about the Semiconductor Academy or to register for courses, visit the program webpage. 

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its integrated, comprehensive Indianapolis urban expansion; the Mitch Daniels School of Business; Purdue Computes; and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.