Tokyo Electron Korea opens in-house engineer training program to university students

Tokyo Electron Korea, a global semiconductor equipment manufacturer, has opened its facilities and research operations to domestic science and engineering students as part of an effort to cultivate future industry talent.

The company said Friday it held "TEL-in Camp," a two-day industry-academia program, Wednesday through Thursday for 40 science and engineering students from partner universities.

Third- and fourth-year students from eight universities — Gachon University, Kyung Hee University, Dankook University, Myongji University, Sungkyunkwan University, Ajou University, Inha University and Hanyang University — took part after being recommended by their schools. Going beyond standard company introductions and facility tours, the program offered cleanroom visits at the R&D center, hands-on equipment sessions and mentoring by current engineers over the two days.

On the first day, participants visited the Hwaseong office and the TEL Technology Center Korea-2 (TTCK-2), the company's R&D facility. Completed in October 2024, TTCK-2 is the company's third R&D base in South Korea and serves as a site for developing process technology using customer wafers.

The cleanroom, which is normally off-limits to outside visitors, was opened to the students. Participants observed equipment in actual operation and manufacturing processes, and also watched how a CD-SEM is used to read fine circuit patterns.

On the second day, students visited the training center at the Balan factory, where they got hands-on experience with coater and developer units as well as cleaning and etching equipment. Using the same facilities and equipment employed in actual engineer training, they learned the role of each piece of equipment and how it is applied on the factory floor.

Tokyo Electron Korea has been working with domestic universities on talent development through academic society sponsorships, scholarship programs and donations of semiconductor textbooks.

"It is ultimately people who carry semiconductor technology forward," said Roh Tae-woo, chief executive of Tokyo Electron Korea. "We will consistently contribute to developing talent for South Korea's semiconductor industry by expanding opportunities for students to experience real equipment and processes."