A ten-year, $100m contract has been struck between the government of Victoria in Australia, and Korean chip manufacturer Anam Semiconductor. Six Victorian universities are party to the deal, which will see the establishment of a new semiconductor design center in Melbourne. A design program, dubbed Integrated Circuit Engineering, will include modules in semiconductor fabrication and involve all six universities in integrated circuit engineering postgraduate diploma courses. The Anam deal is being applauded for its potential to make Australia a player in the integrated circuit industry – locally available skills in this area have traditionally been scarce. Anam will also develop integrated circuit applications.
