New A*Star scholarships to develop semiconductor, quantum tech talent

Two scholarship tracks have been launched to encourage graduates to pursue further studies and research in semiconductor and quantum technologies, strategic to Singapore's ambition to be a deep tech hub.

- Sarah Koh

These tracks under the A*Star Graduate Scholarships (AGS) were opened for application on July 25.

The AGS (Semiconductor) and AGS (Quantum) will add to the agency's two existing graduate scholarship tracks. A total of 139 such scholarships have been given out in the past five years.

"Technological shifts and geopolitical developments are reshaping the global economy. To stay ahead, Singapore must build capabilities in strategic sectors like semiconductors and quantum technologies," said Dr Tan See Leng, Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology.

Speaking at a scholarship ceremony at The Theatre at Mediacorp on July 25, Dr Tan, who is also Manpower Minister, added that the country's thriving economy has been powered by science and technology.

He cited a $123 million facility - the National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre for Gallium Nitride (NSTIC GaN) - that was launched in June.

It enables Singapore to produce advanced semiconductors for the design of smaller and more energy-efficient devices crucial for the development of 5G and 6G communications and satellite systems.