KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and X-FAB Sarawak Sdn Bhd recently expanded their collaboration to cover a wider area of mutual interests with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 22 December 2021.
The MOU broadened the partnership to include joint R&D projects, combined STEM outreach and CSR activities, industry awards for Swinburne Sarawak students, the undertaking of actual industry projects by the university’s students, and training and developmental programs for X-FAB Sarawak staff.
Prior to formalizing the partnership, both organizations had been working together, including XFAB Sarawak’s involvement with Swinburne Sarawak’s electrical and electronic course advisory panel, participation at the university’s career fair, guest lectures and as an industry panel assessor for a final year research conference and a student conference sponsor. Swinburne Sarawak academics had supervised X-FAB staff enrolled in its postgraduate program.
“I am happy to share that the signing of the MOU today will take our collaboration enjoy to the next level,” said Swinburne Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor and CEO Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho.
“All the arrangement with XFAB Sarawak aligns well with Swinburne’s 2025 Vision to bring people and technology together to build a better world, where our people will be driven by a shared sense of purpose to create tomorrow’s technology and the human talent required for a digital, tech-rich future,” said Swinburne Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor and CEO Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho.
He added that the university was committed to offering every Swinburne learner work integrated learning and real industry experience through partnerships with leading and global organisations such as X-FAB Sarawak, and was pleased that the company had been hosting Swinburne students as interns.
“Our goal is for every Swinburne graduate to be a job taker or a job creator in a future world of work defined by technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. It is heartening to learn that based on our graduate tracking from 2016 to 2020, XFAB Sarawak has to date employed many of our graduates,” he added.
Swinburne Sarawak will facilitate connections between its alumni and X-FAB Sarawak for employment opportunities following the formalized partnership.
“With this MOU, the collaboration between XFAB Sarawak and Swinburne Sarawak will be elevated to a higher level, with joint R&D projects and student immersion program added to the partnership,” said XFAB Sarawak Chief Executive Officer Mr Lee Boon Chun.
“We would possibly participate in the development of a STEM talent pool which equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills so as to meet the challenging demand of industry.
“I strongly believe that this good, formalized collaboration will not be limited to the content of this MOU but continue into something we can improve on in the future.”
As semiconductor foundry knowledge in Sarawak and Malaysia was quite niche, Mr Lee said it is to X-FAB Sarawak’s best interest to collaborate with local universities such as Swinburne in the field of technology.
“With our strong semiconductor background and operational excellence in manufacturing, XFAB Sarawak can share our knowledge and train more local engineers. This will enhance the talent and human capital development for the future work force in Sarawak.”
He added that X-FAB is one of the world’s leading specialty foundry groups for analog/mixed-signal semiconductor technologies with a clear focus on automotive, industrial, and medical applications.