KUCHING – Sarawak is taking bold steps to shape the future of technology, and young talents are invited to be part of this transformative journey.
SMD Semiconductor, a state-owned company under the Sarawak Government, welcomes aspiring innovators to visit its booth at TRACE 2025 (Talent Recruitment and Career Exhibition), held at DeTAR, UNIMAS, Kota Samarahan on 17–18 June 2025.
According to CEO Shariman Jamil, SMD is actively seeking homegrown talent with strong interests in innovation, problem-solving, and technological advancement, particularly in chip design.
“A career in chip design goes beyond technical expertise—it makes a real-world impact,” he said.
“Chip designers are the driving force behind the technology powering smartphones, electric vehicles, smart homes, and medical devices.”
With increasing global demand and strong job security, careers in the semiconductor industry offer competitive salaries, diverse opportunities, and the satisfaction of seeing your ideas transformed into real products.
SMD provides a full career pathway, from industrial training to full-time placements, helping graduates build successful careers in chip design, semiconductor engineering, and AI development—right here in Sarawak.
One of SMD’s key initiatives is the Semiconductor Mastery Programme, a six-month training program focused on Analog IC Design and IC Test Engineering. This program is conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak (MEITD), with strong support from industry leaders such as:
- Melexis NV (Belgium)
- X-Fab Sarawak (Germany)
- CENTEXS (Sarawak Center of Technical Excellence)
SMD also works closely with local universities, including Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, to offer postgraduate programmes and specialized training in microelectronics.
The company’s participation in TRACE 2025 aligns with the vision of Premier Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, who aims to position Sarawak as a premier semiconductor hub in Southeast Asia by 2030.
To support this goal, SMD leads initiatives in sustainable innovation, circular economy practices, and high-performance chip packaging—laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth, research excellence, and high-value job creation in sectors like AI, automotive, and integrated circuit design.
TRACE, organized annually by UNIMAS, is Sarawak’s largest career fair, featuring more than 80 companies and drawing over 15,000 visitors each year.
Photo Credit: UKAS
