Ten Reasons Why Companies Believe in the Power of SEMI High-Tech U (section 1)

1. TECHNOLOGY IS THE FUTURE

Technology is the future, but often students and teachers do not make the critical connection between the classroom and the real world of high tech.

SEMI High Tech U™ (HTU) works with hundreds of sponsors in five countries to make that connection. To date, over 3500 students and teachers have completed HTU. This program is important for three reasons:

• For students and teachers: HTU provides a rare opportunity to connect with professionals working in high-tech industries. The program keeps students connected with SEMI and each other through events and social networking for up to five years.
• For sponsors: HTU provides a forum for sponsor representatives and higher learning institutions to meet and collaborate.
• For educational entities: HTU helps connect students with local colleges and universities.
  
  

2. HIGH TECH U IS EFFECTIVE

At a recent SEMI HTU reunion, 86 percent of HTU graduates reported that they are taking or are planning to take Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in college as a result of HTU.

Eighty eight percent of HTU students revealed that HTU influenced their education and career choices; 71 percent of students with "undecided majors" now want to pursue a career in engineering; and 62 percent are taking more math, science and technology courses than originally planned.

Since its inception, the SEMI Foundation has nurtured and developed the SEMI High Tech U industry-driven math and science-based career exploration program for high school-age students and teachers. The SEMI Foundation has granted scholarships totaling nearly $200,000 to promising high school students.

"The enthusiastic feedback from earlier High Tech U programs we've sponsored convinced us that this was a program we'd like to take and run with... we can customize the program to appeal to our young people and their teachers. This will help to raise the level of understanding of industry in schools, allowing participants to get a very real sense of the type of work we do".

- Monika Kircher-Kohl, CEO, Infineon