There is a real and relentless struggle for technological independence on the semiconductor map of the world today. Semiconductors, i.e. the chips that no car, phone, personal computer or credit card can do without, have become a crucial element not only of economic but also of geopolitical stability. Pandemics, wars and tensions between global powers have shown how fragile and vulnerable supply chains are, and Europe cannot afford to depend on production outside its continent. This article from the E15 website was written by Michal Lorenc, Vice-Chairman of the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster and Onsemi representative in our centre.
In recent years, the European Union has been actively working to catch up with the technological lead of world leaders and to strengthen its self-sufficiency and resilience. The Czech Republic is responding to this challenge with the ambition to become a full-fledged player in the European semiconductor ecosystem. Indeed, it has been for decades. A not too often known fact is that the Czech Republic has one of the most complex economies and is one of the few countries in the world that can produce the most advanced machines and devices that mankind has invented.
One of the concrete steps by which our country confirms its ambition to remain at the world’s industrial top is the recent opening of the Czech Semiconductor Centre (CSC) in Brno, which links academic research, industry and innovation. The Centre is also becoming part of the European network of competence centres under the Chips for Europe initiative.
The main goal of CSC is not only to support small and start-up companies in the field of chip design, but above all to create an environment where real innovation is born. This includes technology transfer from universities to practice, support for start-ups and new product development. This ambition thus fulfils the key objectives of the National Semiconductor Strategy, which clearly states that without building a competence infrastructure, strengthening research, and most importantly investing in people, we cannot compete as a country in the global competition.
The Czech Republic has exceptional know-how in chip design and development
The Czech National Semiconductor Cluster is a key driver of the transformation of the Czech semiconductor ecosystem. It brings together all its key players and has been involved in the development of the national strategy. That is why we enthusiastically welcome the first concrete results, such as the CSC, which prove that it is not just words on paper. We have long stressed that the Czech Republic has exceptional know-how in chip design and development, represented by companies such as onsemi and Codasip, but also thanks to the strong research base of our universities and institutes of the Academy of Sciences. The CSC is becoming a platform that connects and strategically develops these capacities.
At the same time, we recognize (and this is one of the most difficult tasks ahead) that no ecosystem can thrive in the long term without skilled people. That is why CSC is emphasizing education, specifically expanding curricula, directly engaging companies in learning, and supporting the talent that can take the semiconductor sector to the next level in the future. We believe that the emphasis.
For the development of the national semiconductor ecosystem, functional links with the semiconductor environment in the EU and the world are essential, which is why the semiconductor cluster is building strong positions in this area and making effective use of its membership in the Silicon Europe Alliance. For the newly established CSCs, the active participation of the semiconductor cluster in the key aCCCess project, which coordinates the activities of the European Chip Competence Centres and Chip Lines, as well as the involvement in the EU Chips Design Platform programme, which will ensure that key tools for the development of new chips are also available to small companies and start-ups, is of crucial importance.
The opening of the Czech Semiconductor Centre is not a goal, but a beginning. It is a milestone that shows that the Czech Republic has the will, capabilities and partners to become a respected link in the European semiconductor chain. It is also an example of how to build a knowledge-based economy that is not only competitive but also strategically resilient.
The author is Vice President of the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster.
