The University of Arkansas will expand its electronics education programmes with a $1m grant from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education that’s aimed at supporting the semiconductor industry.
This funding will allow the university to expand its courses in electronics, packaging, and manufacturing and equip students with the skills that are in demand in the industry.
By focusing on skills like electronic assembly inspection and automated component mounting, the initiative also helps to contribute to a more skilled workforce.
Alan Mantooth, Professor of Electrical Engineering, who will serve as the principal investigator on the award, described the grant as a unique opportunity for semiconductor and electronics industries.
“It provides students access to continued education that will equip them for higher-paying jobs, improving their futures, therefore improving the future of our state.”
The initiative builds on the university’s broader commitment to the semiconductor sector, including the development of a $36m chip prototype fabrication facility that opened in January 2025.
