BBBA Member Prof. Assen Asenov – Lecturer at James Watt College, University of Glasgow and one of the pioneers in computer-aided design technologies in development gave an interview for BloombergTV Bulgaria.
The main problem in the microelectronics world is the shortage of manpower. It is important for Bulgaria to find a position that is not only in support of Bulgarian microelectronics, but also to be visible in Europe. Bulgaria can become a hub for microelectronics training not only for Bulgarian companies, but for the whole of Europe. We have great conditions for this – the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, higher education institutions, companies.
According to Asenov, creating specialists is a slow process that takes seven to ten years. “For this reason, there is also a need for the private sector to get involved very quickly with courses that will allow people to be retrained in the first instance,” he noted.
“The idea is to create a hub, which is a brokerage organisation between all those in the country who could provide courses, programmes, laboratories to train people in microelectronics.”
According to the guest, there is currently interest from big companies who want to participate in the training process and there is interest from higher education institutions as well.
“The issue is to find the right funding. There are appropriate funds available. The important thing is to get started.”
Asenov also commented on the semiconductor situation globally. He pointed out that the chip surplus that became a reality at the end of 2022 is not in all sectors.
“There is no drop in the needs for electronics and chips for the automotive industry. The decline is in the most advanced technologies.”
According to the guest, even the segments whose products go into cars and white goods are not getting enough attention from the big companies and there is still a shortage there.
According to Asenov, the war between the US and China on chips will be complex and very difficult.
“The current investments are just a small start. China has invested trillions of dollars in microelectronics and America and Europe are creating barriers only makes them more enthusiastic to invest more.”
He added that China can become the first economic power and usually the country in this role tries to dominate politics in the world and expand its influence.
You can watch the whole interview in Bulgarian here.