Four students from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) spent part of the summer of 2026 in Japan studying and conducting research at leading semiconductor universities as part of the UPWARDS for the Future Network. The program, established by Micron Technology and Tokyo Electron (TEL), aims to strengthen semiconductor education, workforce development, and research collaboration between the United States and Japan.
The RPI students joined peers from other U.S. universities at Kyushu University, Nagoya University, and Tohoku University. The immersive programs combined laboratory research, faculty-led instruction, industry engagement, and cultural exchange. Participants explored a range of semiconductor disciplines, including device engineering, materials science, plasma technologies, nanofabrication, integrated circuits, and advanced manufacturing.
Working alongside faculty and researchers, the students visited state-of-the-art laboratories and toured semiconductor companies and facilities. These visits offered firsthand insight into how research advances move from the laboratory to practical applications.
Jun Iguchi, Class of 2028, shared his experience: “What I did not expect was how much of the learning was collaborative. Our lab groups mixed American students with Japanese graduate-student tutors teaching in their second language, and when words ran short, we fell back on plotted data, units, and axis labels… I came to Nagoya expecting to learn how semiconductors are made. I left understanding how much care it takes to make one that works.”
The exchange works in both directions. In August, RPI welcomed students from partner universities in Japan for the two-week UPWARDS Summer Intensive Program in Microelectronics. The visiting students worked directly with RPI faculty and researchers in laboratories and cleanroom facilities. They gained hands-on experience in computational materials discovery, optical metrology, semiconductor devices, and microfabrication.
The program also connected participants with New York’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. Students toured GlobalFoundries and the NY CREATES Albany NanoTech Complex, where they met industry professionals and learned about career paths in the field. Outside the laboratory, they experienced campus life and explored the Capital Region.
Robert Hull, vice president for research at RPI, highlighted the value of the initiative: “Programs like UPWARDS provide exactly the type of global, hands-on educational experiences that are essential for the future semiconductor workforce. By bringing together students, faculty, and industry partners from the United States and Japan, we are helping create the collaborative environment needed to drive future innovation while preparing students for leadership in a rapidly evolving field.”
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Through its collaboration with Micron, Tokyo Electron, and leading universities in both countries, RPI is contributing to the development of a new generation of innovators ready to advance semiconductor technology.
UPWARDS programs are open to all RPI students. Applications for the Summer 2027 programs will open this winter. This year, RPI used UPWARDS funding to cover program fees, airfare, lodging, and regional train travel to and from program sites. Participants also received a stipend to help offset meals and other living expenses.
The initiative reflects a broader effort to build stronger educational and research ties between the United States and Japan in a critical technology sector. By combining rigorous academic work with industry exposure and cross-cultural collaboration, the UPWARDS network supports the development of skilled talent needed for the future of semiconductor innovation.
