The European Chips Diversity Alliance (ECDA), a European Union-funded initiative coordinated by SEMI Europe, hosted the third Inclusive Chips Forum Bratislava: Bridging Education and Industry for Inclusive Talent at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava on September 2, 2026. Co-organized with ECDA project partner Comenius University in Bratislava, the forum brought together educators, industry representatives, policymakers, and researchers to explore how collaboration between academic institutions and employers can open the semiconductor sector to a broader, more inclusive talent pool.The event addressed questions at the heart of Europe's semiconductor ambitions: how universities and employers can work together to attract and retain talent that is too often overlooked, what role institutional culture and leadership play in creating genuinely inclusive environments, and which models of cooperation are already proving effective across Europe and Slovakia. Through presentations, panel discussions, and exchanges of good practice, participants explored concrete approaches to building pathways into the semiconductor sector for people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. “Europe's semiconductor future depends on its ability to draw on the full depth of its talent,” said Cassandra Melvin, Senior Director, Business Development and Operations at SEMI Europe. “That means breaking down the barriers between education and industry, and making sure that the people who have historically been left out of this sector have a real path in."The program featured perspectives from across the ecosystem: from the counselling and psychological support systems that help students with diverse needs thrive in higher education, to the sharp decline in female enrolment at technical schools over recent decades, to what it means to build a semiconductor workforce that extends well beyond engineering. A closing panel, Connecting Education and Industry to Build Inclusive Semiconductor Talent, brought together representatives from SEMI Europe, the Czech and Slovak Semiconductor Centers, and onsemi Slovakia to discuss successful models of talent development and how education can better respond to the needs of a rapidly evolving sector.“Bringing educators and employers into the same room is necessary, not just useful,” said Janka Kottulová, Project Manager at Comenius University in Bratislava and co-organizer of the event. “The semiconductor sector cannot build the workforce it needs without universities and industry designing that future together, and forums like this one are where that work begins." SEMI Europe thanks the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, the Slovak Chips Competence Centre, and Comenius University in Bratislava for their partnership in organizing the Forum, with special thanks to Andrea Fábiková and Janka Kottulová for coordinating the event and its program.The Inclusive Chips Forum Bratislava is part of a series of events organized under the ECDA project, bringing together stakeholders across Europe to advance inclusion in the semiconductor sector. Information on upcoming forums will be announced shortly.About the European Chips Diversity AllianceThe ECDA is a collaborative initiative comprising 11 partners across Europe. ECDA works to expand access to training and employment in microelectronics by removing barriers for underrepresented and underserved communities, helping unlock the full spectrum of Europe's talent pool. Learn more at diversityinchips.eu or follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the Inclusive Chips Forum?The Inclusive Chips Forum is a series of public events organized by the ECDA bringing together educators, industry representatives, policymakers, and researchers to explore how diversity, equity, and inclusion can strengthen Europe's semiconductor talent pipeline. Each forum is hosted in a different European location and focuses on practical approaches to building more inclusive pathways into the sector.What topics were covered at the Inclusive Chips Forum Bratislava?The forum covered a wide range of topics, including inclusion practices in universities and companies, counselling and psychological support as tools for inclusion in higher education, gender representation in technical schools, diverse career pathways into the semiconductor sector beyond engineering, and how education and industry can collaborate more effectively to attract and retain underrepresented talent.Who attended the Inclusive Chips Forum Bratislava?The forum brought together educators and education managers from higher education and vocational training institutions, HR professionals and company representatives from the semiconductor sector, policymakers, and researchers from across Slovakia, Czechia, Austria, and wider Europe.How can educators and industry representatives get involved with ECDA?Organizations and individuals can engage with ECDA through its events, training programs, and online resources at diversityinchips.eu. ECDA welcomes participation from academic institutions, companies, and public bodies across Europe committed to building a more inclusive semiconductor workforce.When is the next Inclusive Chips Forum?Information on the next Inclusive Chips Forum will be announced shortly. Follow ECDA on LinkedIn and Instagram or visit diversityinchips.eu to stay up to date.Marta Scandella is Communications Coordinator for EU Projects at SEMI Europe.
