The choice between medical school and semiconductor programs has become a fierce dilemma for top science students in South Korea. As the semiconductor industry gains prominence in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), more students are applying to both medical and semiconductor programs. This trend reflects a strong belief that semiconductors are a key future industry for South Korea.
However, the talent development system is struggling to keep pace with the rapid changes in the industry. Many semiconductor programs at major universities in South Korea are structured as contract programs, which are designed to prepare students for employment at companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. These programs are seen as successful examples of industry-academia collaboration, thanks to benefits like tuition support and job placement.
The problem is that this approach has clear limitations in the AI era. The semiconductor industry is evolving into a competitive ecosystem that encompasses AI semiconductors, system semiconductors, advanced packaging, fabless design, electronic design automation (EDA), and materials, components, and equipment. The demand for semiconductor talent extends beyond just Samsung and SK Hynix; hundreds of fabless and materials companies are also struggling to find qualified personnel. The very name 'contract program' implies a focus on employment with specific companies, which restricts the supply of talent across the entire industry ecosystem.
South Korea is also lagging behind in workforce size compared to its competitors. China is nurturing semiconductors as a strategic national industry, producing hundreds of thousands of graduates in microelectronics and related fields each year. Taiwan, led by the government and TSMC, closely connects universities and research institutions to train over 50,000 engineering graduates annually. In contrast, despite having world-class memory competitiveness, South Korea's output of semiconductor talent does not meet industry demand, resulting in a distorted structure where factories are increasing while the workforce is insufficient.
It is time for a national talent strategy. While continuing to nurture company-specific talent, there should be a focus on expanding formal semiconductor programs. New semiconductor programs should be actively established not only in the metropolitan area but also at regional national universities and innovation universities to broaden the talent pool. The curriculum also needs to shift from a memory-centric approach to encompass the entire field of AI semiconductors.
Revisiting the name 'contract program,' which is often viewed as a recruitment channel for specific companies, should also be part of the discussion. Semiconductors are a future strategic industry, and semiconductor talent should be recognized as a public asset that supports the national industrial ecosystem. Ultimately, the competition for semiconductor supremacy in the AI era hinges on people. More important than the hundreds of trillions of won invested is the talent that can turn that investment into results. A shift from 'talent needed by companies' to 'semiconductor talent nurtured by the nation' is urgently needed.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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