KUCHING: SMD Semiconductor has drawn up a series of strategic programmes to strengthen Sarawak’s semiconductor ecosystem through talent development, international collaboration and industry engagement.
In a statement Wednesday, it said the initiatives support the Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030 – Beyond Moore’s Law and the Post-COVID Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, positioning the company as the state’s delivery platform for semiconductor capability building.
SMD said it will host a Token of Completion Ceremony on Jan 23 for the first cohort of the SMD Semiconductor–CENTEXS Digital IC Design Semiconductor Mastery Programme at SMD Academy.
The ceremony will recognise trainees who have completed advanced training in digital IC design and is expected to be officiated by Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Roland Sagah.
On Feb 4, SMD will lead a delegation from the University of Bristol on a courtesy visit to Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg to brief him on a proposed collaboration in compound semiconductors, including advanced materials, technology development and talent development.
The engagement will include an exchange of documents on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) involving SMD Semiconductor, the University of Bristol and Yayasan Sarawak, formalising a partnership to support Sarawak’s semiconductor ambitions.
SMD said it will also host an engagement session with the University of Bristol on Feb 5, involving higher education institutions, technical institutions, and government agencies, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and research collaboration.
Meanwhile, SMD will participate in the Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference and Exhibition (APACE) 2026 from Jan 27 to 29 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), where its chief executive officer, Shariman Jamil, is scheduled to speak in plenary and panel sessions on compound semiconductors and space radiation technologies.
The company said its involvement reflects expanding engagement across semiconductors, aerospace, space technologies and advanced materials.
Looking ahead, SMD said it will participate in the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2026 from March 2 to 5 in Spain, as part of a coordinated multi-agency effort to showcase Sarawak’s digital initiatives, advanced technologies and investment priorities, while strengthening international partnerships.
Shariman said the early-year programmes demonstrate SMD’s focus on execution and long-term capability building.
“From developing industry-ready IC design talent to strengthening international research collaboration, our priority is to build real capabilities that will sustain Sarawak’s semiconductor ambitions over the long term,” he said.
