Infineon and Politecnico di Milano further expand cooperation
The cooperation between Politecnico di Milano and Infineon, one of the leading global semiconductor companies, will be further expanded. The strategic cooperation agreement for the next four years was signed last Tuesday, in Milan, in the presence of Infineon Austria CEO Sabine Herlitschka and Rector of the Politecnico di Milano Donatella Sciuto. The partnership will focus on establishing a Joint Research Platform for microelectronics.
With the and research cooperation for microelectronics that we have initiated, we are creating a win-win situation: we are bringing together the know-how and innovative strength of Infineon in Austria and Italy with the excellent education of the Politecnico di Milano. In this way, we are investing in the future and offering young talents from Italy exciting prospects in a key global industry. This is a good example of how teaching, research and business can work successfully across borders in the Alpe-Adria region. In this way, we are not only driving forward the semiconductor ecosystem in the individual countries and counteracting the shortage of skilled workers but also strengthening Europe as a whole in the key technology of microelectronics.
Sabine Herlitschka, CEO of Infineon Austria
Joint Research Platform strengthens innovative power
Infineon Austria and the Politecnico di Milano have already been cooperating for ten years. By continuing this successful partnership, Infineon is contributing to the education of highly qualified students and graduates in technology and natural sciences. To this end, the existing Joint Research Center at the Politecnico, which was established in 2019, is now being put on an even broader footing with a Joint Research Platform: new projects are being worked on in interdisciplinary research groups. Among others, the focus will be on the hardware development of radio frequency (RF) technologies, sensor system solutions, algorithms and software development including artificial intelligence (AI) supported approaches to implement system prototypes that are used, for example, in driver assistance systems, connectivity and security systems. On the other hand, various research and development departments within Infineon can utilize the multidisciplinary skills of the students. In addition, the agreement includes the establishment of scholarships, the expansion of courses and investments in laboratory infrastructure.
At Politecnico di Milano, we recognize the critical importance of fostering cooperation with industry in strategic fields such as semiconductors. Our long-standing tradition of cooperation with Infineon, now turning into a Joint Research Platform, is a testament to our commitment to advancing technology and nurturing the next generation of engineers and researchers in a strategic field that encompasses a wide array of technologies, from consumer electronics to critical defense systems. The ability to innovate and manufacture semiconductors in Europe is crucial. Fostering robust industry-academia partnerships is more important than ever to ensure a competitive edge on the global stage.
Donatella Sciuto, Rector of Politecnico di Milano
A Joint Research Platform in microelectronics
Through the implementation of the Joint Research Platform, it succeeds in driving excellent academic teaching as well as an outstanding ecosystem for microelectronics. Past and ongoing research shows the success: in recent years, specific products have been developed and patents registered in close collaboration with PhD graduates. With the continuation of the partnership between Infineon and the Politecnico, up to 20 PhD students will be trained in various research projects in the future.
These figures speak for themselves and for the proven successful cooperation with the Politecnico di Milano. I am delighted that we can now further expand this path. This intensive exchange between educational establishments and industry is essential for innovative solutions to many pressing issues of the future. In addition to the cross-border cooperation between Infineon in Austria and Italy with the Politecnico di Milano, Infineon Group recognizes a huge potential in Italy itself in research and development proven by the development our R&D sites in Pavia and Padua. For this reason, we support also other collaborations with Politecnico like the "Girls@Polimi" program, which awards STEM scholarships and research contracts for artificial intelligence topics to women.
Alessandro Matera, Managing Director Infineon Italia