SSIA launched the first semiconductor women’s forum

While female leadership is contributing significantly to corporate sectors worldwide, the semiconductor industry in Singapore remains a male-dominant industry, observed the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA).

To address the challenges facing Singapore’s semiconductor industry, and to attract more female talents to join the sector, the SSIA recently organised the inaugural Semiconductor Women’s Forum in Singapore.

Speaking at the event, which attracted over 700 on-site and online participants, SSIA chairman Andrew Chong said, “The industry strongly needs more talents to deliver the vibrancy, agility and sustainability necessary for success in this field during the pandemic. The significant investments in building a more flexible and empathetic workplace will greatly help retain and attract employees, and nurture a culture in which women have equal opportunity to achieve their potential in a meaningful career.”

Five reputable female leaders who have excelled in the semiconductor industry also shared their inspirational career journeys at the Semiconductor Women’s Forum, including Jennifer Zhao, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Advanced Optical Sensors Division, ams AG; Siah Soh Yun, Technology Development Vice President, GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GF); Sim Cher Whee, Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition and Talent Mobility, Micron, Jaya Jagadish, Corporate Vice President- Silicon Design Engineering & Country Head – India, AMD; and Olivia Koentjoro, Director of Intellectual Property Analytics Center of Excellence, Global Law Department, Applied Materials.

GF’s Siah said, “In 2013, GF established the GLOBALWOMEN (GW) network with a mission to create a sustainable framework for the professional development of women at GF. GW is a vital part of our inclusive culture and has now evolved into an alliance that includes women and men who actively work as allies for women employees. There is a strong need for corporates to place ‘balance for better’ as a priority by institutionalising support groups on mentoring and professional development of women engineers.”

Applied Materials’ Koentjoro added, “Applied Materials sponsors Women Professional Development Network (WPDN), which fosters diversity and inclusion and aims to build a progressive, fair and equitable working environment within Applied.  WPDN is active in promoting engagement and retention of female talents and acting as a development platform for future Applied female leaders.”

In the coming months, SSIA will roll out more events and activities to create a vibrant environment for its workforce. For more details of coming talent development initiatives for the electronics and semiconductor industry, visit https://ssia.org.sg/jobs