Pillar 5
The mission and vision of Pillar 5 are to foster international collaboration, expand research networks, and share common goals for student, faculty, and staff exchanges across universities in the US and Japan. These exchanges include, but are not limited to, study abroad programs, student internships, summer camps and workshops, networking events, and collaborative research opportunities for both students and faculty. Universities work together to develop and host these programs, welcoming participants from partner institutions. Exchanges are also conducted in collaboration with, and supported by, Micron and TEL.
Science Tokyo UPWARDS Summer Program 2026
Program Dates: August 21 to August 28, 2026
Location: Institute of Science Tokyo (Ookayama Campus) Tokyo, Japan
Experience AI application development using RISC-V microprocessors,
learn to use Institute of Science Tokyo’s C2RTL hardware-software co-design environment and experience cutting-edge AI chip development methodologies. During the program period, participants will also have the opportunity to experience Japanese culture.
Tohoku University Summer Program 2026
Program Dates: July 29 – August 7, 2026
Location: Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
Information will be available soon at https://www.s-hub.tohoku.ac.jp/
A distinctive feature of Tohoku University’s semiconductor research is the comprehensive coverage of technology value chain from device to package development, and even equipment and material development. In this program, participants will visit various research labs on campus, feeling Tohoku University’s 78-year history of semiconductor research, with the largest clean room area among Japanese academia (total of 8,500m2), while also learning about the latest research and witnessing a legend that continues to be updated.
Hiroshima University UPWARDS Summer Intensive Program 2026 – Peace and Semiconductor Innovation
Program Dates: July 22 to August 2, 2026
Location: Hiroshima University (Higashi-Hiroshima campus) Higashi-Hiroshima City, Japan
The Hiroshima University UPWARDS Summer School 2026 – “Peace and Semiconductor Innovation” is a 12-day interdisciplinary program combining peace learning in Hiroshima with hands-on semiconductor training at the Research Institute for Semiconductor Engineering (RISE). Participants will gain both scientific and cultural perspectives, exploring how technology and innovation contribute to a sustainable and peaceful society.
Kyushu University Summer Internship 2026
Program Dates: July 28 (Tue) -August 5 (Wed)
Location: Kyushu University Ito Campus, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, JAPAN
This program includes an introduction to semiconductors, company tours in Kyushu area, an applied course of semiconductors (Business/Sustainable/Social implementation), and a short-term study in laboratories as the main part of this program. The research topic will
be announced at recruitment.
Additional information can be found at https://www.isee.kyushu-u.ac.jp/upwards/recruitE.html
UPWARDS Summer Intensive Program at Nagoya University
PProgram Dates: July 27 to August 7, 2026
Location: Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
Nagoya University will offer a summer intensive program over approximately two weeks in Nagoya, Japan, focusing on cutting-edge semiconductor device and process technologies. Participants will receive a thorough debrief on the experimental experience conducted in research labs and will work with undergraduate and graduate students, including NU student tutors, on research related to semiconductor material/process/device technologies. Highlights include:
Visits to semiconductor-related companies and laboratories in the UPWARDS and/or Chubu industrial cluster district.
The opportunity to conduct experiments in multiple laboratories and participate in tours of CIRFE Transformative Electronics Facilities, the Center for Low-temperature Plasma Sciences, and several Clean Rooms.
Introductory lectures on semiconductors and presentations by faculties and students about their research.
UPWARDS Summer Intensive Program in Microelectronics
Program Dates: (Tentative) Aug. 5th – Aug. 15th (2026)
Program Location: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s main campus in Troy, NY
The curriculum will focus on three semiconductor application areas: computational materials discovery, optical metrology, and device fabrication. Students will work hands-on in RPI’s cleanroom facility to learn the basic steps of deposition, lithography, etching, and metrology. Students will also work hands-on with professors in their research labs in on topics of computational materials research and machine learning (including with our own quantum computer!), quantum optoelectronics, and ultrawide bandgap devices. Students will also experience cultural activities, opportunities to understand diversity, equity, and inclusion, for collaboration and teamwork, and to improve their communication and leadership skills.
STEP Summer Camp for UPWARDS students
Program Dates: (Tentative) Aug. 5th – Aug. 15th (2026)
Program Location: West Lafayette, IN
Open to rising high school seniors (Class of 2027).
Recommended: Completion of three years of high school math and one year of
chemistry or physics by summer 2026
Ready to turn your passion for innovation into the foundation of an extraordinary career? Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects (STEP) is more than just a summer camp — it’s a gateway to the world of engineering excellence. Join like-minded high school students from across the nation for hands-on projects, expert mentorship and unforgettable experiences that will inspire your potential and shape your future.
Visit Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects (STEP) – Engineering Honors Program – Purdue University for more information
Pillar 5
米国・ロチェスター工科大学への学生派遣を実施
令和6年8月10日から23日にかけ、日米大学パートナーシップ UPWARDS for the Future（以下UPWARDS）の取組の一環で、本学工学部電気情報工学科から12名、大学院システム情報科学府から5名の学生が米国ニューヨーク州のロチェスター工科大学（Rochester Institute of Technology）で2週間に渡る半導体に関する教育プログラムに参加しました。
UPWARDSは2023年に発足した本学を含む日米11大学によるコンソーシアムで、日米企業の寄付金に基づき、未来の半導体人材の育成等に取り組んでいます。
今回のプログラムに参加した学生達は半導体の基礎から応用まで学び、クリーンルームで実際に太陽光発電素子を作製するなど、充実した時間を過ごしました。
ロチェスター工科大学でのプログラム終了後、帰国前の数日間を利用し、同州アルバニーのナノテク・コンプレックスにある企業のオフィスを訪問しました。米国で活躍する日本人エンジニアと触れ合うことで、学生の将来のキャリアについて考える機会になりました。
本学は、今後もUPWARDSの参画大学と積極的に連携し、優秀な半導体人材の育成に取り組んでいきます。
※UPWARDS：University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research & Development in Semiconductorsの略。
参加者の集合写真
Large student delegation from Purdue University visits Tohoku University through UPWARDS Program
On May 10, 2024, twenty-two students from Purdue University visited Tohoku University, a fellowmember of the U.S.-Japan University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research &Development in Semiconductors (UPWARDS) for the Future. Purdue University is one of six U.S.university members, and Tohoku University is one of five Japanese university members.
The student delegation was led by Purdue University’s Vice President Cristina Farmus and ProfessorGeorge Chiu. They visited the Center for Innovative Integrated Electronic Systems (CIES) and listened to lectures related to semiconductors. They also received a tour of Aobayama Campus from Tohoku University science and engineering students. Thereafter, the delegation and Tohoku University students enjoyed lunch together.
Vice President Masahiro Yamaguchi and the Global Learning Center’s Specially Appointed Professor Yoshitaka Kasukabe and Specially Appointed Professor Yumiko Watanabe also participated in the luncheon. They spoke with VP Farmus and Prof. Chiu about potential future exchanges between the two universities.
The visit is expected to further deepen the relationship between Tohoku University and Purdue University, which are mutually focused on developing talented individuals within the field of
semiconductors.
UPWARDS for the Future: Founded by Micron Technology, Inc., the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Tokyo Electron Ltd., and eleven universities across the U.S. and Japan, this project aims to develop talented individuals in the field of semiconductors. Tohoku University is one of five participating Japanese universities, which are joined by six universities in the U.S. Participating universities collaborate to create opportunities to share cutting-edge semiconductor technology and promote new research activities.
Inside ‘Upwards’ at RIT; an international semiconductor education exchange program
HENRIETTA, N.Y. (WROC) — Since the passage of the federal CHIPS Act, New York has seen significant investment in the semiconductor industry from a recent $40 million into the 1-90 Semiconductor Highway to Micron’s future mega-fab near Syracuse.
But this infrastructure needs workers, and an international exchange program between the US and Japan — started at the G7 Summit in 2023 — called “Upwards” looks to address the global need.
Locally, Micron’s mega fab plans to hire 9,000 workers, all of kinds.
“They need technicians, engineers, scientists, all the way from high school education, all the way up through PhD degrees,” said Karl Hirschman of RIT. He’s the Department of Electrical and Microelectronic Engineering and Director of Microelectronic Engineering at RIT.
Upwards is funded by Micron and the National Science Foundation. Six US universities, including RIT, and five Japanese universities are participating.
In this two-week intensive, students and faculty from Kyushu and Nagoya Universities attend lectures at RIT, and get an inside look into RIT’s hands-on, workforce development approach.
“Japan is a leading country in the world in semiconductor technology,” says Jing Zhang, Department of Electrical and Microelectronic Engineering. “If we could get feedback from them, on how to shape our own educational program better… It’s a win-win situation.”
The faculty of the universities in Japan said the access to the companies funding this program has been vital, and it’s a chance for their students to grow as well.
“It’s good for them to experience what other students are studying in another field, because now we are in a place where we need to do cross-disciplinary research,” said Emanuel Leleito, a professor of architecture engineering at Nagoya University.
All told, RIT, Kyushu, and Nagoya Universities believe this program will help talented people fill these spots around the globe.
“We’re trying to target the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, get the students excited about the technology, and perhaps some of the studies in the upwards program, might end up coming to RIT,” said Hirschman.
The technology isn’t the only part to get excited about: these are high-paying jobs. RIT says that a graduate of their semiconductor program can expect to make around $80,000 in their first job.
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