U.S. CHIPS ACT FUNDS TO SUPPORT SEMICONDUCTOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN COSTA RICA

By U.S. EMBASSY SAN JOSE

4 MINUTE READ

FEBRUARY 20, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

The U.S. Department of State, through the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, has awarded $13.8 million to Arizona State University (ASU) under the CHIPS Act International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund.

“This announcement supports Costa Rica’s effort to foster a semiconductor workforce that can keep pace with the digital transformation underway,” said Cynthia Telles, U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica. “It also underscores U.S. confidence in Costa Rica as a critical link in the semiconductor supply chain.”

This funding will initiate a program aimed at expanding semiconductor chip assembly, testing, and packaging (“ATP” or “downstream”) operations in several partner countries in the Americas and the Indo-Pacific region, including Costa Rica.  This collaboration with ASU is a significant milestone for State’s ITSI-related programs and our work to facilitate new investments in Costa Rica.

“These fund—in the form of training and development programs for Costa Rican human talent—demonstrate that the United States considers Costa Rica a safe ally and supplier in the global semiconductor supply chain,” said Manuel Tovar, Costa Rican Minister of Foreign Trade (COMEX). “Investing in education and technical preparation of our workforce is a firm step on the path that we are leading in COMEX to be a regional center of this industry.”

In July 2023, the United States announced a partnership with the Government of Costa Rica to explore opportunities to diversify and grow the global semiconductor ecosystem and create a more resilient, secure, and sustainable global semiconductor value chain.

Today’s announcement builds on that partnership.  The Department of State and ASU will collaborate with the Government of Costa Rica on training and education programs to bolster workforce capacity and create a pipeline of new talent, supporting the expansion of ATP operations.  Costa Rica’s current semiconductor industry development, regulatory framework, and workforce and infrastructure needs will inform the design of the program.

“It is undeniable that the semiconductor industry plays a primary role in the global economy and in digital transformation,” said Paula Bogantes, Costa Rican Minister of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT). “Therefore, our efforts are focused on establishing alliances that improve the capacity of the Costa Rican workforce and directly contribute to developing human talent. Ourt Ministry recognizes the importance of adapting training to the specific needs of the semiconductor industry, thus guaranteeing a highly qualified and competitive workforce. This, in turn, drives economic growth and encourages the creation of quality jobs in Costa Rica.”

Read more about today’s announcement and the ITSI Fund here: https://www.state.gov/department-of-state-and-arizona-state-university-announce-new-itsi-initiative/ 

Huyen Nguyen

Program Coordinator, Indo-Pacific Region

Huyen Nguyen is the Program Coordinator, Indo-Pacific Region for the Diversifying Semiconductor Supply Chain project in the Vietnam representative office for Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. Huyen supports the coordination and implementation of ISTI activities in the Indo-Pacific region countries.

Ha Mai

Data Analyst

Ha Mai serves as Data Analyst in the Vietnam representative office for Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Diversifying Semiconductor Supply Chain project. Ha supports the collection and management of ITSI project datasets, ensuring data accuracy and integrity.

Melissa Stine

Program Manager, Americas Region

Melissa Stine is the Program Manager of Strategic Initiatives in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Program Manager, Americas Region, for the Diversifying Semiconductor Supply Chain project, overseeing the implementation of project activities within the Americas Region countries.

Dung Le

Program Manager, Indo-Pacific Region

Dung Le serves as Program Manager, Indo-Pacific Region for the Diversifying Semiconductor Supply Chain project in the Vietnam representative office for Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU), overseeing the implementation of project activities within the Indo-Pacific region countries.

Thai Tran

Sr. Manager for Monitoring and Evaluation

Thai Tran serves as Sr. Manager for Monitoring and Evaluation in the Vietnam representative office for Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Diversifying Semiconductor Supply Chain project. Thai oversees the comprehensive quality assurance of all ITSI project deliverables, ensuring activities meet project KPIs and align with the established quality criteria.

Jesús Silva

Associate Director of Program Operations

Jesús Silva Elizalde serves as the Associate Director of Operations for the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund, Diversifying Semiconductor Supply Chains Project in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU). Leveraging vast USAID, Chips Act, and semiconductor experience, Jesús oversees the implementation of all ITSI activities.

Jose Quiroga

Managing Director

Jose A. Quiroga is the Director of Global Development in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering (FSE) at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Managing Director of the Diversifying Semiconductor Supply Chains Project at ASU, funded by the US Department of State through the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund. This program aims to enhance workforce capabilities within semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP) operations across key partner countries. By prioritizing workforce development activities, the initiative seeks to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals essential for the semiconductor industry’s growth and resilience.

Jeffrey Goss

Principal Investigator

Jeffrey Goss is a prominent leader in global and professional development, holding roles as Associate Vice Provost SE Asia, Executive Director, and Assistant Dean in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU). With over 25 years of experience, he has significantly impacted STEM education and workforce development globally. Mr. Goss is Principal Investigator for the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund. His leadership has advanced STEM education and strengthened supply chains in the Americas and Indo-Pacific, enhancing global semiconductor ecosystems.