Governor Greg Abbott has announced that Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) will receive a $1.98 million grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF). The funding will support a workforce development initiative focused on 3D Heterogeneous Integration (3DHI) microelectronics through a training program at the university’s Prairie View campus.
“Texas is investing in the workforce of tomorrow today,” said Governor Abbott. “Prairie View A&M University, the second-oldest public higher education institution in Texas, has built an unparalleled reputation for empowering scholars. This specialized workforce training program will further Texas’ leadership in cutting-edge microelectronics, enhance national security by strengthening domestic semiconductor manufacturing, and expand the path to better jobs and bigger paycheck opportunities for Texans for years to come.”
The use of 3DHI technologies allows for stacking separately manufactured chips or wafers containing different semiconductors and materials within one package, leading to significant improvements in performance and functionality.
PVAMU’s Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), is working with the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute and partnering with the Next-Generation Microelectronics Manufacturing (NGMM) program on this initiative. The effort aims to provide specialized training in areas such as 3DHI process capabilities, Electronic Design Automation (EDA), digital twins, and 3DHI microsystems. The goal is to prepare students for careers in advanced technology sectors.
“I want to thank Governor Abbott for investing in Texas’ semiconductor workforce and providing a strong vision to maintain our state’s dominance in this critical sector,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar. “Prairie View A&M University is preparing students for the most complex and in-demand jobs in the industry. This grant is an investment not only in Texas’ economic future, but also in the men and women whose skills will keep our state at the forefront of innovation for decades to come.”
“Texas is a global leader in developing innovative technology, and Prairie View A&M is at the forefront of that effort,” said Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst. “This important fund will help Prairie View A&M continue to create a highly educated workforce that is building a bridge to the future.”
Governor Abbott signed the Texas CHIPS Act into law in 2023, establishing TSIF as well as the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium (TSIC). These programs are managed by the Texas CHIPS Office within his Economic Development & Tourism Office. They aim to strengthen semiconductor research, design, manufacturing capacity at state institutions of higher education, attract industry investment into Texas, and maintain its position as a national leader.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott has played a key role in job creation efforts across various sectors including technology and manufacturing according to its official website. Since Greg Abbott’s election as governor in 2014 https://gov.texas.gov/, his administration has prioritized economic growth initiatives statewide https://gov.texas.gov/.
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