The seminar, organized by the Da Nang Center for Integrated Circuit and Artificial Intelligence Research and Training in partnership with the Oregon State Government and Portland State University, aimed to showcase investment opportunities and foster cooperation in training human resources the semiconductor and artificial intelligence fields in Da Nang. It emphasized introducing the city's investment and business opportunities, support mechanisms, and investment incentives in the semiconductor and AI sectors to US organizations, enterprises, and investors.

Da Nang's delegation engaged with over 40 delegates, including government officials, business leaders, and university representatives. Notable Oregon delegates included State Senators Daniel Nguyen and Paul Evans;Ms. Sophorn Cheang, Director of the Oregon Business Development Agency; representatives from the City of Portland and Oregon State University; as well as representatives from semiconductor design companies such as Synopsys, Ampere, Microchip, Intel, and other companies interested in investing and cooperating in the semiconductor and AI sectors in Da Nang.

Speaking at the seminar, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Ho Ky Minh stated that following the success of the city's delegation visit to the US in November 2023 led by Central Party Committee Member and Secretary of the Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang, who met with major US technology corporations such as Intel, Synopsys, Nvidia, the current Da Nang delegation's mission is to further engage with partners interested in promoting cooperation and investment in the semiconductor and AI sectors in Da Nang.

Mr. Le Hoang Phuc, Director of the Da Nang Center for Integrated Circuit and Artificial Intelligence Research, stated that Da Nang is taking concrete steps to establish itself as a talent training center for the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors. With a focus on developing human resources prioritizing the design phase of integrated circuits and later packaging and testing (in the three stages of the semiconductor industry). Da Nang is building infrastructure for semiconductor development, the "Semiconductor and Integrated Circuit Development Project in the city," and specific mechanisms and policies to attract experts, investors to the city for work, research, and cooperation in training semiconductor and AI human resources.
The seminar underscored Da Nang's efforts to strengthen partnerships and educational cooperation, develop a team of lecturers and talented engineers for the city, supplying the market, aiming to share common values and benefits.

The event featured two roundtable discussions on training and attracting investment in the semiconductor and semiconductor fields. Participants were very interested in higher education and research training topics, and many proposals for scholarship mechanisms for outstanding students were discussed and feasible solutions were proposed. Many delegates suggested that Da Nang City and the Oregon State could promote education cooperation through organizing short courses, exchanging teachers and students between Vietnam and Oregon.
In addition, the cooperation potential in the development of semiconductor design and artificial intelligence received much attention with the participation of Dan Malinaric, Vice President of Microchip Technology, Jennifer Purcell, Director of the Oregon Future Ready Fund, and Sarah Means, Semiconductor Manager at the Oregon Governor's Office. Last year, after the US CHIPS Act came into effect, the Oregon state government approved $240 million in grants and loans to 15 companies to promote the semiconductor industry in the state, one of the pillars of the region's economy. The Oregon Future Ready Fund also allocated $200 million to develop human resources and support businesses in recruiting personnel, as well as launching orientation training programs for semiconductors to enhance collaboration and diversity in the semiconductor workforce. STEM training programs and the "design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, packaging semiconductor training" program were officially launched in January 2024.

Oregon delegates believe that the semiconductor sector needs to be approached based on human resources, emphasizing that this is the golden opportunity for Da Nang to seize collaboration and development in this field. Da Nang needs to focus on building a solid infrastructure, policies, and human resources, along with assistance from attracting large enterprises, FDI enterprises, organizing systematic training courses on semiconductor design. Da Nang can successfully realize the vision of building a “Silicon Beach” akin to Silicon Valley.

XUAN HOA