PERMATANG PAUH – 16 December 2025 – Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pulau Pinang, in strategic collaboration with Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST), successfully organised an Industry Lecture Series as a core component of the Engineering Talent for the Semiconductor Industry (ETSI) Finishing School Programme. Held at the Dewan Seminar, the event targeted Year 3 and Year 4 Electrical Engineering students to bolster professional readiness and technical mastery in emerging semiconductor technologies.
The programme featured two distinguished industry leaders who provided a holistic view of the sector, balancing essential career soft skills with cutting-edge technical innovation. The first session, “Beyond Resume: Secret to Career Success in IC Design,” was delivered by Mr. Teoh Giap Seng, Vice President of Client Service at SkyeChip Sdn. Bhd. Mr. Teoh challenged students to look beyond academic transcripts, emphasizing that while technical knowledge is fundamental, long-term career progression in the competitive Integrated Circuit (IC) design field is driven by adaptability, accountability, and effective communication. Drawing from his extensive experience at SkyeChip, he highlighted that the industry highly values engineers who demonstrate initiative and a commitment to continuous learning.
The second segment transitioned into advanced technology with a lecture titled “How SiC Power Devices Shape the Future of Power Electronics,” presented by Dr.-Ing. Sergej Fischer, Director of Technology Development at Infineon Technologies. Dr. Fischer provided an in-depth industrial overview of Silicon Carbide (SiC) power devices, explaining their superior thermal and electrical characteristics over traditional silicon-based technologies. He detailed how SiC MOSFETs are revolutionizing high-efficiency systems in electric vehicles, renewable energy, and data centers. Furthermore, he shared insights into Infineon’s research efforts to overcome manufacturing complexities, underscoring the urgent global demand for engineers specialized in wide-bandgap semiconductor technologies.
Both sessions concluded with high-energy interactive Q&A segments, allowing students and academic staff to engage directly with the experts. By integrating real-world engineering workflows and future-tech trends into the curriculum, UiTM Pulau Pinang continues to fulfill its mission of producing industry-ready graduates capable of sustaining Malaysia’s position as a global semiconductor powerhouse.
Throughout the presentation, Mr. Teoh elaborated on the importance of effective communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, and the ability to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies. He shared real-world examples from his experience at SkyeChip to illustrate how initiative and accountability can significantly accelerate an engineer’s career progression. Beyond technical mastery, he highlighted that understanding industry workflows and consistently meeting project deadlines are fundamental traits that employers look for when developing high-level engineering talent within the IC design ecosystem.
To further assist the students in their transition to the workforce, Mr. Teoh provided strategic advice on positioning themselves for employment through internships, industry training, and active participation in technical projects. He addressed common misconceptions among fresh graduates and offered guidance on interview preparation and long-term career planning. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, where students engaged directly with the speaker on industry challenges and the vast opportunities available within both local and international semiconductor landscapes. This initiative underscores UiTM’s ongoing commitment to nurturing well-rounded, industry-ready graduates who are equipped to drive Malaysia’s semiconductor sector forward.