Building the People Behind Semiconductor Technology
The semiconductor industry needs more than factories and investment.
It needs researchers who can design new chips, engineers who understand advanced electronic systems and specialists capable of turning research into technologies that solve real problems.
On 5 June 2024, Imperial College London announced plans to expand its collaboration with MAHANAKORN through new PhD scholarship opportunities in semiconductor and integrated circuit design within Imperial’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
The initiative builds on decades of academic connection between the two universities and creates a pathway for Thai researchers to develop advanced expertise within an international research environment.
From Integrated Circuits to Future Healthcare
Semiconductor research is not limited to making faster processors.
Integrated circuits are increasingly becoming part of technologies used in healthcare, sensing, artificial intelligence, agriculture and intelligent devices.
The collaboration between MAHANAKORN and Imperial focuses particularly on developing expertise in semiconductor integrated circuit design and technologies with future healthcare applications.
That connection creates an interesting research challenge.
An engineer working on future healthcare technology may need to understand electronic circuits.
But they may also need knowledge of sensors, artificial intelligence, embedded computing and how electronic systems interact with biological information.
Advanced research therefore becomes increasingly interdisciplinary.
From Scholarship Plans to SABER Lab
The collaboration announced in 2024 later developed into the Semiconductor AI & BioSensor Electronics Research Lab — SABER Lab, jointly established by MAHANAKORN and Imperial College London.
SABER Lab brings together research in:
- semiconductor integrated circuit design
- embedded artificial intelligence
- biosensor electronics
- biomedical engineering
- healthcare technology
- electronics for agriculture and environmental applications
Research and training take place across facilities at Imperial College London and MAHANAKORN, connecting researchers in Thailand with expertise and infrastructure in the United Kingdom.
What began as deeper academic cooperation has therefore grown into a dedicated international research platform.
Fully Funded PhD Opportunities for Thai Researchers
Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation is supporting five PhD scholarships each year for five years for Thai researchers studying within Imperial’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering through the SABER Lab initiative.
The PhD programme is based at Imperial College London and focuses on areas including:
- integrated circuit design
- AI architectures
- embedded systems
- semiconductor technology
- biosensor electronics
- biomedical engineering
Current studentships cover full international tuition fees and a tax-free stipend, with successful researchers completing an Imperial College London PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
For students beginning an engineering degree today, this shows how far a technical foundation can eventually lead.
An undergraduate interest in circuits or AI can develop into postgraduate study, international research and work on technologies with applications in healthcare, agriculture and future electronic systems.
Why International Research Connections Matter
Research rarely develops inside one institution alone.
Semiconductor technology is global by nature.
A chip may be researched in one country, designed by an international team, manufactured elsewhere and eventually become part of a product used around the world.
Working across institutions gives researchers access to different expertise, equipment, ideas and research communities.
Imperial reported that its academics had co-authored 570 publications with Thai partners since 2018, with MAHANAKORN identified among its key research partners in Thailand.
For students and researchers, partnerships like this show that studying engineering can lead beyond the boundaries of a single campus.
Where Could You Take It Next?
Students interested in semiconductors, electronics, AI and advanced research can begin building relevant foundations through:
Communication & Electronics Engineering
Develop knowledge in electronic circuits, communication systems and advanced electronics that can form the foundation for semiconductor and integrated circuit research.
Explore Communication & Electronics Engineering →
Computer & AI Engineering
Build foundations in computing, artificial intelligence and data for intelligent technologies increasingly connected with advanced semiconductor hardware.
Explore Computer & AI Engineering →
Master of Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Advance your technical knowledge in electrical and electronic engineering while preparing for deeper research and technology development.
Explore Master of Electrical & Electronics Engineering →
PhD in Electrical Engineering
Continue toward doctoral-level research in advanced electrical and electronic engineering.
Explore PhD in Electrical Engineering →
Postgraduate Research
Explore pathways into advanced research, international collaboration and technology development.
Explore Postgraduate Research →
The technologies shaping the future need researchers capable of pushing beyond what already exists. International collaboration gives them a larger place to begin.