International Partnership Expands Arizona-Netherlands Semiconductor And Photonics Cooperation

Five-year agreement between the University of Arizona and Eindhoven University of Technology advances research, education and industry engagement across the global chip ecosystem.

The University of Arizona and the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, known as TU/e, are establishing a partnership to advance semiconductor and photonics technologies for next-generation, faster and more energy-efficient computing systems.

The universities have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding to align education and research activities with the needs of a rapidly growing semiconductor sector. Semiconductors are the materials that make computer chips possible, powering technologies from smartphones and vehicles to artificial intelligence and data centers. Growing demand for AI and other advanced technologies is fueling investment in semiconductor research, manufacturing and workforce development.

The MOU, signed by U of A Chief International Affairs Officer and Dean Jenny Lee and TU/e Rector Magnificus Silvia Lenaerts, links two regions with deep roots in the technologies driving the global chip industry and builds on established governmental support.

In January 2025, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed an agreement with Netherlands Minister of Economic Affairs Dirk Beljaarts to strengthen ties between Arizona and the Netherlands and expand collaboration in semiconductor research that accelerates workforce development and economic growth.

"Arizona and the Netherlands are home to two of the world's most established photonics and optics ecosystems," said Krishna Muralidharan, director of the U of A Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing, or CSM, and a materials science and engineering professor. "Together, the U of A’s longstanding leadership in semiconductors and TU/e's world-class photonics research create a powerful foundation for educating the next generation, unlocking new technologies and solving problems that matter to industry.”

The U of A has a 50-year history of researching and developing semiconductors, Muralidharan said. Today, CSM draws on expertise from across the university, including from the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, and reflects internationally renowned strengths in optics and photonics.

TU/e is world-recognized for its pioneering research on semiconductor and integrated photonics, anchoring a European ecosystem that has driven advances in photonic integration and advanced light-based patterning techniques for next-generation chip manufacturing.

"Innovation thrives where diverse perspectives and expertise come together,” said TU/e Rector Magnificus Silvia Lenaerts. “Through this partnership, we are connecting two leading ecosystems in semiconductors and photonics. This creates new opportunities for research, education and collaboration with industry, while enabling us to better prepare the next generation of talent for the opportunities and challenges of the semiconductor sector."

Linking research and industry priorities
Under the MOU, the universities will explore joint opportunities to engage industry partners in research projects and workforce development programs.

Specific planned student activities include opportunities for students to study, conduct research and participate in training programs at partner institutions; short-term programs such as summer and winter schools and internships; and integration with the U of A Fast Track Semiconductor Manufacturing program, which prepares students for careers in chip design, manufacturing, materials engineering and other high-demand fields.

The agreement reflects Arizona's emergence as a major semiconductor hub. The state has attracted more than $210B in semiconductor and related supply chain investments since 2020, helping position Arizona at the center of U.S. efforts to expand domestic chip manufacturing, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority.

Dutch companies have played a key role in that growth. Semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASM established its North American headquarters in Scottsdale and announced a $300 million expansion in Arizona in 2024. ASML, a global supplier of chipmaking equipment, also maintains operations in the state, and NXP Semiconductors has a longstanding presence in Arizona through design, engineering and manufacturing activities.

As global demand for advanced chips continues to grow, the U of A and TU/e partnership provides a framework for long-term international collaboration that brings together complementary strengths to accelerate progress across the semiconductor ecosystem.