Global semiconductor program giving Boise State students hands-on experiences

Few industries are shaping the future as powerfully as semiconductors. These powerful technologies have become a major focus in recent years, specifically with the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act and the push to bring manufacturing back to the United States.

In response, Micron Technology recognized the need to strengthen the workforce pipeline as it expands during this new era of semiconductor manufacturing. One important step was the creation of the United States and Japan University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research & Development in Semiconductors (UPWARDS) for the Future, a collaboration with Tokyo Electron and 11 universities across the U.S. and Japan, including Boise State University.

Launched in 2023, UPWARDS is designed to build the semiconductor workforce across both countries by investing in groundbreaking research, developing robust curricula, supporting faculty and creating international education opportunities for students. Guided by its five core pillars, the program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare them to enter this rapidly growing industry and workforce.

As stated by an introductory press release from Micron in 2023, "more than $60 million in contributions over the next five years from a variety of sources, including Micron and its partners, will go towards supporting the launch and implementation of this innovative program. The network, expected to impact approximately 5,000 students per year, will provide access to experiential learning in cleanrooms and memory-related research across institutions, promoting opportunities for all students, staff and leaders."

The opportunities offered through UPWARDS are transformative. With access to resources across so many universities, both graduate and undergraduate students can participate in hands-on learning, cutting-edge research, and training in cleanrooms and laboratories that may not exist at their home institutions. These experiences open doors to career paths and global collaboration that students might not otherwise encounter.

"UPWARDS experiential learning programs like these are a tremendous opportunity for Boise State students," Director of the Microelectronics Education and Research Center Kurtis Cantley said. "They not only provide technical training on different tools, equipment and processes than we have at Boise State, but also help the students develop professional skills and build new connections across the world."

The UPWARDS program and Microelectronics Education and Research Center are leading Boise State's mission to advance Idaho and its students to have statewide and global impact. In the summer of 2025, Boise State sent nine undergraduate students to UPWARDS partner institutions, including Rochester Institute of Technology, Virginia Tech, Nagoya University and Kyushu University. Their stories highlight the importance of international collaboration and the education and career possibilities within semiconductors across the globe.

Stay tuned for upcoming stories featuring student perspectives from these experiences.

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