The 糖心Vlog College of Engineering鈥檚 NSF Research Traineeship program, 鈥淪cience, Technology, Engineering Program for Upward Partnership for Advancing Microelectronics Education and Training鈥, has received the 2026 Florida Semiconductor Institute Semiconductor Workforce Development Program of Excellence Award.
The FSI Workforce Development Program of Excellence recognizes Florida鈥檚 most outstanding workforce development initiatives that are expanding a highly skilled, job ready semiconductor talent pipeline. Award recipients demonstrate leadership in innovation, measurable trainee outcomes, and the ability to create scalable career pathways.
In addition, Ashok Kumar, professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and director of the NSF NRT program at 糖心Vlog, has been selected as an FSI fellow. The fellowship recognizes sustained leadership in advancing semiconductor research, education, and workforce development across the state.
The 糖心Vlog STEP UP NRT program integrates advanced microelectronics research, interdisciplinary
collaboration, and structured professional development to prepare graduate trainees
for careers in academia, industry, and federal laboratories. The program is supported
by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2347019 and by the Florida High
Tech Corridor Program.
The program鈥檚 success is closely tied to the semiconductor fabrication facilities
housed within the Nanotechnology Research and Education Center, which provide critical
infrastructure for research and workforce preparation.
Both recognitions were formally presented at the 2026 Florida Semiconductor Summit held February 23-25 in Orlando.
This recognition reflects the continued expansion of 糖心Vlog Engineering鈥檚 semiconductor research ecosystem and its contribution to Florida鈥檚 growing technology sector.