The firm foresees the opportunities to accelerate growth given the increasing global market demand for memory, storage products 

by SHAFIQQUL ALIFF / Pic Source: Micron Technology

MICRON Technology Inc will invest RM1 million to strengthen collaboration, research and development projects with local universities over the next five years. 

Micron Technology Malaysia corporate VP and country manager Amarjit Singh Sandhu said the funding and collaboration with local universities will focus and strengthen the local semiconductor ecosystem, smart manufacturing and artificial intelligence. 

He said the company aims to use its presence and influence to contribute to Malaysia’s economy, including generating quality jobs and increasing the country’s productivity, efficiency and global competitiveness. 

“Malaysia is critical in the global manufacturing footprint as we invest in technology and sustainable operations and have plans to hire more engineering graduates in the coming years. 

“We foresee the opportunities to accelerate growth given the increasing global market demand for memory and storage products,” he said in a statement recently. 

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Micron Technology’s RM1 million grants further reinforce its commitment to using its leadership, influence and resources to create positive change, on top of its relentless efforts in employee wellbeing, sustainability and corporate social responsibility. 

He added that multinational companies continuously deepen their roots in Penang is a significant testament to the state’s conducive location, offering a robust industrial ecosystem, while developing infrastructure and a skilled workforce to meet their next-generation technologies, production and long-term growth strategy. 

“In terms of manufacturing footprint, they are expanding and the results thus far have been very promising. Our industrial ecosystem also provides a competent platform for the local players to participate and thrive as well,” Chow said. 

Meanwhile, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) CEO Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman said the partnership between Micron Technology and Universiti Sains Malaysia is set to create new growth opportunities and more collaborations will transpire between other various institutions and companies. 

He said Mida is encouraged by Micron Technology’s efforts and contribution to building a resilient semiconductor ecosystem that supports Malaysia’s competitiveness as the destination of choice for future investments. 

“The involvement in universities’ academic curriculum development has been catalytic in grooming aspiring young technology innovators and leaders who are fundamental to this industry’s success which is key to the advancement of tech manufacturing in the country. 

“We hope this collaboration will trigger similar partnerships between premier universities and the corporate sector to enhance research and innovation of commercial products,” he said. 

Arham added that Mida has strived to position Malaysia for the past 50 years as an international manufacturing hub whose holistic electrical and electronic (E&E) ecosystem enables front-end and back-end semiconductor production, and this will not have materialised without the active contribution of the corporate sector. 

“The country has identified the E&E industry to contribute RM120 billion to Malaysia’s GDP which will generate about RM495 billion in export earnings by 2024. 

“Foreign direct investment is crucial to an effective economic system that is a catalyst to bringing labour and will create 22,000 new high-income jobs and entrepreneur opportunities,” Arham added.