While Leading A Bipartisan Congressional Delegation In Asia Earlier This Week, Schumer – Always With Upstate NY On His Mind – Met With The Korean President & Urged Korea To Expand Their Research At NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex – Which They Agreed To Do
New Commitment Will Help Expand Advanced Chip R&D And Student & Faculty Exchanges With The Republic Of Korea; Schumer Says Global Recognition Strengthens Capital Region Even Further To Become Major Hub For The National Semiconductor Technology Center
Schumer: NY CREATES’ Groundbreaking Research At The Albany NanoTech Complex Is Recognized Around The Globe, And Now Korea Will Join NY In Helping Make New Discoveries For The Future Of Chip Research
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, in a personal meeting in Seoul with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this week, secured a commitment that the Republic of Korea will partner with the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES) on advanced semiconductor technology research & development at the Albany NanoTech Complex. This builds on the joint declaration signed earlier this year to promote collaboration and partnership between NY CREATES and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT). Schumer said this new international collaboration with the Republic of Korea will further propel NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex as a premier global center for semiconductor research, and strengthen the facility as an ideal major hub for the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) that was established in the CHIPS & Science Act.
“Even halfway across the globe in South Korea, I always have the Capital Region and Upstate NY on my mind. During my meeting with South Korean President Yoon, I raised how important it was for our countries to work together on advanced technologies from semiconductors to AI, so our scientists and students could learn from each other to help spur innovation and take us to the next frontier,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to say that President Yoon agreed, and personally committed to growing South Korea’s partnerships with New York on research & development for semiconductors and other advanced technologies, including a collaboration with NY CREATES at its Albany NanoTech Complex. This will help bring researchers, Korean universities and companies to the Albany NanoTech Complex’s world-renowned facilities. Governments and industry partners from around the world continue to recognize that Albany NanoTech is the place to be for cutting-edge semiconductor research. In fact, President Yoon made clear that the U.S. and Korea working together on advanced technology is key to the alliance between our two countries, and that New York is central to that effort.”
“This partnership with the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology is the latest step in our mission to make New York State a chipmaking superpower,” Governor Hochul said. “Research institutions like Albany NanoTech are the engines behind our state’s drive to attract, expand, and innovate the semiconductor industry, and with steady state support and the Majority Leader’s continued advocacy, we will keep tapping the best minds from New York and abroad to build our competitive edge in this sector and plan the future of chip manufacturing in our state.”
“We are grateful for Senator Schumer’s steadfast efforts and President Yoon’s commitment for Korea to partner with NY CREATES for semiconductor-based R&D. Meaningful international collaborations with our allies are important for developing critical next-gen technologies and further establishing NY CREATES and Upstate New York as an international hub for innovation-centered partnerships by leveraging our world-class resources and facilities, high-tech expertise, and workforce development initiatives,” said NY CREATES President Dave Anderson. “We are excited about the opportunities to collaborate with global tech leaders, and we look forward to finding ways to bolster domestic research and production capabilities right here in New York and the U.S., while also supporting our partners around the world.”
The direct commitment Schumer was able to secure in Korea will build on months of ongoing conversations between the Republic of Korea and NY CREATES to expand R&D, academic research, and student & faculty exchanges. Earlier this year, NY CREATES and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) signed a joint declaration to promote collaboration and partnership between the two organizations in the field of technological innovation, with a primary focus on semiconductors. The agreement was signed in Washington, D.C., during the official state visit of President Yoon. At the signing ceremony, NY CREATES President David Anderson and KIAT President Byung-joo Min were joined by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Republic of Korea Minister of Technology, Industry, and Energy Lee Chang Yang. The agreement between NY CREATES and KIAT promotes cooperation in innovation, education, and workforce development between companies and educational institutions from Korea and New York. NY CREATES will support the U.S. component of the collaboration by providing access to its world-leading facilities for R&D and prototyping – the Albany NanoTech Complex – as well as scientists and researchers. Since this initial agreement was struck, efforts have been underway to formalize Korean support for the partnership, including putting in place specific programs and Korean investment. President Yoon’s commitment to Schumer now solidifies a path forward to finalizing that partnership.
Schumer has fought tirelessly to lift up the Capital Region and Upstate New York as a major hub to lead the nation in semiconductor manufacturing and research. Most recently, Schumer announced that following his push, NORDTECH, a New York-based consortium led by NY CREATES in partnership with Cornell, RPI, the University at Albany CNSE, and IBM, was one of the first major recipients of funding through his CHIPS & Science Act, securing $40 million through the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Microelectronic Commons Program. Earlier this year, Schumer also personally invited NY CREATES head Dave Anderson to President Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address to highlight his push to land the NSTC in the Capital Region. Prior to the passage of the CHIPS & Science Act, Schumer not only brought the Commerce Secretary to Malta to highlight opportunities for expansion at GlobalFoundries and across Upstate New York’s semiconductor industry, but also arranged for Secretary Raimondo to meet with NY CREATES and industry leaders, including from IBM and Applied Materials, to discuss the unique assets the region has for leading the NSTC. Schumer also brought Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves to Albany to tour the Albany NanoTech Complex and see firsthand how the Capital Region is perfectly suited to stand up the NSTC and begin boosting the nation’s semiconductor industry.
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