In an effort to strengthen links with Chinese academic and research communities, STMicroelectronics and IC broker Circuits Multi Projects (CMP) have announced that they are to offer Chinese universities access to ST’s advanced CMOS processes for research purposes. 

Just over a week after Tower Semiconductor’s acquisition of Jazz Semiconductor, Tower has announced that it is implementing cost-cutting measures. While the company claims that it has yet to receive approximately $40 million in overdue grants from the Israeli government, the money-saving steps being taken by the company include the cutting of around 170 employees’ jobs. 

Dr. Ranko Scepanovic (pictured), an expert in the field of ASIC devices, has been appointed to the role of Senior Vice President of Advanced Technology for eASIC, the fabless ASIC device manufacturer. Dr. Scepanovic has over 23 years of research and industry experience and has received several awards for his innovations over the years. 

Soitec has promoted Paul Boudre (pictured), former Executive Vice President of sales, marketing and customer support, to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Reporting to Andre-Jacques Auberton-Herve, company CEO and President, Boudre will oversee R&D efforts, industrial operations and supply chain management. 

Winbond Electronics Corporation has approved the appointment of former President In-Shek Hsu to deputy CEO, in which role he will oversee both the consumer and computer logic IC business groups. Replacing Mr. Hsu is Ching-Chu Chang, who takes up the role of President and takes on responsibility for the DRAM product, memory IC manufacturing and flash memory IC business groups. 

Sir Martin Wood OBE FRS (pictured), inventor of the world’s first superconducting magnet and subsequent founder of Oxford Instruments in 1959, will be awarded The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by the Japanese Government at a ceremony in June. 

Intel Corp.’s Board has announced the appointment of three new Corporate Vice Presidents. Deborah Conrad, John Johnson and Diane Bryant have each been appointed to the corporate roles in a move that was welcomed by Paul Otellini (pictured), Intel President and CEO. 

Former VP and General Manager for International Rectifier’s Power Semiconductor Business Unit, Ian Warbrick has joined Peregrine Semiconductor as Vice President of supply chain and customer service. This new role will see Warbrick focus on development of communications and delivery systems for the silicon-on-sapphire IC company. 

As General Manager of Strategic Operations for Applied Materials, Dr. Randhir Thakur (pictured) will initially focus his efforts on the company’s SunFab Thin Film Line for PV module production. Dr. Thakur rejoins Applied Materials after a role as Vice President of technology and fab operations at SanDisk, prior to which he spent five years with Applied Materials in executive roles.