Eleven universities, including Boise State, are forging international ties with the University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research and Development in Semiconductors for the Future (UPWARDS) program. UPWARDS is an international semiconductor program funded by Micron, Tokyo Electron, and the National Science Foundation.
The UPWARDS program aims to empower the next generation of female engineers and address the gender gap in the tech sector. To help promote these goals, UPWARDS hosted a leadership workshop for women in the semiconductor industry. Three outstanding students from Boise State’s College of Engineering were selected to attend. The participants were chosen based on their academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to advancing women in STEM.
The small group of semiconductor scholars included Sivagya KC, a junior in Electrical Engineering; Icelene Leong, a PhD student in the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering; and Sumona Islam, a master’s student in Electrical and Computer Engineering who is also earning the ECE Department’s new Semiconductor Emphasis for grad students when she graduates this December.
Sivagya KC savored every moment of the opportunity. “I’m so grateful to have participated in the UPWARDS Summer camp,” she said. “I gained valuable insights, enjoyed engaging activities, ate great food, and connected with incredible women from multiple universities in the semiconductor industry.”
Sumona Islam echoed KC’s sentiments. “I am very grateful to have been part of this program. It was an amazing experience.”
The three-day workshop in Karuizawa included roundtable discussions, a factory tour, and team-building activities. Top students, researchers, and professionals from the US and Japan showcased their talents in semiconductor design, electronics, and nanotechnology.
In addition to the tours, Icelene Leong found the best part of the program to be the activities with all of the other participants. “What stood out was being able to interact with other women engineers and discuss our experiences,” said Leong.
Dr. Kurtis Cantley, an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, leads the UPWARDS efforts at Boise State in partnership with the Institute for Microelectronics Education and Research. Dr. Cantley is confident that this experience and others like it will have a lasting impact on the students.
“The UPWARDS for the Future program is a unique opportunity for Boise State students and faculty to interface with top universities in the US and Japan,” says Cantley. “The semiconductor industry is at the heart of technological innovation, and gaining new insights on workforce development and research collaborations is tremendous. We’re incredibly proud of our students and excited to see how this experience will shape their professional trajectory.”
The UPWARDS workshop wasn’t just an educational opportunity, it was an inspiring moment for the students who attended. Connecting with a community of like-minded women, these students not only advanced their technical knowledge but also built a network of support and inspiration. Their participation in the workshop underscores the importance of inclusivity and diversity in STEM, paving the way for a future where all voices are heard and valued in the pursuit of scientific advancement. As these students return to their respective institutions, the impact of this workshop will undoubtedly resonate, fueling their ambitions and contributions to the semiconductor industry and beyond.