Between July 28 and August 8, 2025, Nagoya University hosted the “UPWARDS for the Future Summer Intensive Program 2025,” welcoming 12 students from five U.S. institutions: the University of Washington, Virginia Tech, Boise State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Rochester Institute of Technology. Organized by Nagoya University’s Leading-edge Semiconductor Technology Research Strategy Office, this program is part of the “UPWARDS for the Future” initiative to foster talent and research collaboration in advanced semiconductors between Japan and the U.S. The initiative is supported by the Micron Foundation, Micron Technology Inc., and Tokyo Electron Ltd., and involves five Japanese and six U.S. universities.
On July 29, participants visited Nagoya University’s semiconductor research facilities, including the Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability (IMaSS), the Center for Integrated Research of Future Electronics (CIRFE), and the Center for Low-temperature Plasma Sciences (cLPS). The following day, they attended a special lecture and conducted hands-on plasma science experiments at the NIC Building. On July 31, students toured United Semiconductor Japan Company’s Mie Plant and the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. On August 1, they traveled to Hiroshima to visit Micron Memory Japan’s Hiroshima Plant, where they participated in research presentations and networked with local researchers and engineers.
From August 4 to 7, students were divided into three groups, each visiting two laboratories. They engaged in specialized experiments and practical training in photolithography, infrared photodiodes, wide-bandgap semiconductors, plasma technologies, and nanostructured devices. The program concluded on August 8 with final presentations and a closing ceremony, during which each student shared their research results and experiences. Professor Makoto Kobashi, Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering, awarded certificates of completion.
Throughout the program, 17 graduate and undergraduate students from Nagoya University supported participants as tutors, promoting academic and cultural exchange. This interaction fostered meaningful connections and provided valuable experiences for both Japanese and American students. The program gave U.S. students an excellent opportunity to deepen their understanding of the global semiconductor industry while encouraging Nagoya University students to develop a global outlook and interest in international collaboration.
Nagoya University will continue to actively promote student exchange and collaborative research under the UPWARDS for the Future framework, further strengthening international partnerships and expanding opportunities in leading-edge semiconductor engineering. The university also aims to enhance long-term research stays for graduate students at U.S. institutions and invigorate joint research between Japan and the United States, contributing to the development of globally competitive talent in the semiconductor field.
This article was originally published in Japanese and has been edited for clarity and readability by the Nagoya University International Communications Office while preserving the original content’s intent. The original Japanese version is available here.