by Benjamin Konuch, Student Public Relations Writer
A national shortage of engineers with experience in semiconductor development is motivating Intel to invest in college graduates during the next stages of their expansion. Future Cedarville University engineering graduates will benefit from investments into educational programs and proximity to a $20 billion Intel facility under construction within an hour of campus.
With financial support from the State of Ohio, Intel decided to build a new facility in New Albany, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. Cedarville University’s proximity to this new facility provides a great opportunity for Cedarville’s engineering students.
To prepare the local workforce to meet the needs of this new facility, Intel is partnering with dozens of local educational institutions in Ohio to invest in the next generation of engineers. Through the Ohio-Southwest Alliance on Semiconductors and Integrates Scalable Manufacturing (OASIS) program, Intel will invest $17.7 million dollars across 80 higher education institutions. The opportunities from this investment will make a degree in engineering from Cedarville University more competitive and attractive for decades to come.
“Intel needs to see highly trained engineers remain in Ohio when they graduate rather than leaving the state for other opportunities,” said Dr. Robert Chasnov, dean of Cedarville’s school of engineering and computer science. “We’re happy to work with Intel to help enhance our own educational provisions, especially if it can help open the doors for our students to pursue great careers upon graduation.”
Intel's funding provides incentives and steppingstones for engineering students who may have an interest in semiconductor fabrication. These incentives primarily consist of scholarships or stipends for students who are interested in progressing their education towards chip fabrication and development.
Through OASIS, Intel has also offered Cedarville students the opportunity to enroll in a free introductory course that teaches the fabrication process. The course will also introduce new ways for students to advance their skills that are not currently taught in college classrooms.
It will be a real-life learning experience for all engineering students in this program.
For engineering students interested in working with computer or component manufacturing, Intel’s investment into Cedarville (and other Ohio universities) provides a vital first step toward pursuing jobs in the industry. In addition, Intel’s funding will provide students with guest lecturers from Intel’s facilities, allow work in state-of-the-art labs and potentially provide internships at Intel’s new plant upon its completion.
"We believe this new initiative will lead some of our graduates to meaningful careers with semiconductors,” said Dr. Xiaowei Chen, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. “The U.S. is pushing to make themselves a base of chip manufacturing, and we want to prepare our students to be ready for the first wave of that demand.”
While Cedarville’s students will directly benefit from Intel’s investment, Cedarville’s engineering faculty will also reap benefits from the professional relationship. Intel will fund professional development conferences and seminars that faculty can use to further their own understanding of the industry and allow them to better prepare students for current workforce demands.
“If Intel brings in their managers and designers to help us monitor the current expectations and demands of the industry, it helps us bring the latest expertise into the classroom,” said Chen. “In the world of computers, technology advances so quickly, so Intel is ensuring that universities train students with the most current understanding of today’s workplace expectations, needs and opportunities.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is a Baptist university with undergraduate programs in arts, sciences, and professional programs including the bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and the bachelor of science in computer engineering, and graduate programs. With an enrollment of 6,384 students in 175 areas of study, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio and is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, and high graduation and retention rates. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.