A key part of Boise State’s focus and the mission of the Microelectronics Education and Research Center (MERC) is creating immersive and impactful opportunities for students to learn about semiconductors and microelectronics. The UPWARDS for the Future partnership is a collaboration between 11 US and Japanese universities. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Micron, and Tokyo Electron, UPWARDS offers support for students to gain hands-on experience in semiconductors through programs at participating institutions. These exchanges also allow students to see how this vital industry is studied and advanced on a global scale.
Last summer, a cohort of students participated in academic and experiential learning exchanges at Nagoya University and Kyushu University. Their experiences, documented in dedicated articles reflecting on their time at Nagoya and Kyushu, underscored the value and impact of international learning opportunities in fostering both academic growth and cross-cultural understanding.
In addition to these international exchanges, a select group of students also traveled to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), a fellow member of the UPWARDS partnership. As reflected in a student account, this experience likewise proved to be highly enriching, offering meaningful, hands-on educational development alongside valuable professional growth and important networking opportunities.
Travel to Rochester Institute of Technology
Finally, Emaline Lawler, a junior majoring in Electrical Engineering, attended RIT’s summer camp in August. She shared that the experience exceeded her expectations, allowing her to observe work and processes she hadn’t thought possible within just a week. Like others, she emphasized the value of being exposed to work she had never experienced before.
“The program had a good balance of learning about semiconductor processes,” said Lawler. “The greatest benefit from that experience for me was being able to learn more about semiconductor manufacturing and to talk to and learn from other students.”
Overall, the experiences of these students, along with the others who participated, highlight the value of educational exchanges. Traveling and seeing how other universities approach research, experiential learning, and faculty collaboration can open doors students might never have imagined. The work of UPWARDS for the Future, strengthened by Boise State’s participation, helps students gain access and insight into a thriving industry while exploring the wide range of educational and career opportunities it offers.
In summer 2026, a new cohort of students will take part in academic exchanges at partner universities across the United States and Japan. Like the students before them, they are expected to gain valuable academic and professional experience, continuing to show the importance of Boise State University’s role in global partnerships and cross-cultural learning opportunities.