STMicroelectronics and HIT to Collaborate

BEIJING /Marketwire/ -- STMicroelectronics (ST), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, and Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), one of China's most renowned national key universities, announced the opening of a joint laboratory to encourage innovation in electronics. The laboratory is located at the Electric and Electronic Experimental Teaching Center of HIT, with an aim to support efforts in the study and research and development of innovative and emerging applications of electronics, such as in medical, power management, and multimedia convergence.

ST will provide its various products, IC samples, and technical documentation, as well as regular training to facilitate students in the design and development of innovative electronics projects. HIT will provide general-purpose facilities and management of the joint laboratory. At the initial stage, the joint lab will focus on smart-sensor applications. ST will donate its advanced iNEMO development tools, supported with an iNEMO software platform.

"HIT is recognized as among China's leading technology institutes, with strong research capabilities and talented students. MEMS is a high-growth industry and high-quality engineers are very much in demand," said Patrick Boulaud, STMicroelectronics Regional Vice President, Analog, MEMS and Sensors, Greater China and South Asia Region. "We expect the joint lab will contribute to the nurturing of the next generation of engineers and should create new reference designs for the industry. The establishment of the joint laboratory is further proof of ST's unwavering commitment and determination to global innovation and excellence."

"ST is on the cutting-edge of the MEMS technology revolution, and our cooperation with ST gives faculty and students access to the most advanced design tools," said Professor XU Dianguo, Assistant Principal of HIT. "It is HIT's first joint laboratory built upon a project-based learning mode, aimed at boosting innovation among students. ST's willingness to support the development of innovation in electronics applications in higher education demonstrates the company's leadership, and we are confident that this cooperation will enhance HIT's research capabilities."

Solomon NG, STMicroelectronics Regional Director, Strategic Business Development & Design Center, Greater China and South Asia Region added: "Starting with MEMS-based smart-sensor application development, the joint lab will focus on innovative and emerging applications in diverse fields, including bio-medicine, energy saving and environment protecting, and user interfaces. This joint effort aims at building a world-class lab that will play a crucial role in cultivating students' innovative spirit and practical skills and further promoting bilateral cooperation and exchanges."

About HIT
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) was founded in 1920. From its beginning, HIT has received preferential support from the central government. In 1954, the Ministry of Higher Education designated, for the first time, six national key universities. HIT was the only one of the six outside of Beijing. In 1984, HIT again found its way onto the list of 15 national key universities to receive special support. In 1996, HIT was among the first group of universities to be included in Project 211. This project targets 100 institutions of higher education in China to receive preferential support for development to become world-class universities in the 21st century. In 1999, HIT was listed as one of the top nine key universities in China. This distinction provided HIT with the opportunity to develop into a highly competitive first-rate university with the assistance of the Ministry of Education and the Heilongjiang Provincial Government.

About ST
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in the semiconductor market, serving customers across the spectrum of sense and power technologies and multimedia convergence applications. From energy management and savings to trust and data security, from healthcare and wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car, and office, at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make a positive and innovative contribution to people's life. By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented. In 2011, the company's net revenues were $9.73 billion.