TOKYO, June 27, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857) is partnering with SEMI as one of four corporate sponsors of the first SEMI High Tech U program to be held in conjunction with the annual SEMICON West exposition, coming July 10-12 to Moscone Center in San Francisco. Advantest's involvement includes teaching three of the program's modules - including one that Advantest and KLA-Tencor helped to develop on artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) - as well as conducting practice interviews with students and emceeing the final day of the course.

"The rapid pace of innovation that characterizes our industry is fueled by the influx of new ideas and new participants," said Judy Davies, Advantest's vice president of global marketing communications and the master of ceremonies for the program's third day. "We are proud to be involved with and support this outstanding educational outreach program."

SEMI High Tech U has a three-day curriculum that helps high-school students explore career possibilities in the global semiconductor industry. In the July 10-12 session, students will take part in hands-on activities that relate science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) concepts to real-world applications as well as visit some exhibitors' booths at SEMICON West. The award-winning program has had a significant impact on the young people who have attended since it was first organized in 2001 by the SEMI Foundation.

"With the volunteered resources of SEMI member companies such as Advantest, who not only sponsor this program but also actively participate in it and help to create content, High Tech U serves as a beacon for future members of our industry," said Leslie Tugman, executive director of the SEMI Foundation.

SEMI High Tech U's activities and all supplies are free to qualified students. The criteria for acceptance include being 15 to 17 years old with good to average grades, exhibiting a positive attitude, being a team player, committing to attend all three days of the program and showing an interest or aptitude in technology-related careers.

About Advantest Corporation

A world-class technology company, Advantest is the leading producer of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry and a premier manufacturer of measuring instruments used in the design and production of electronic instruments and systems. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also focuses on R&D for emerging markets that benefit from advancements in nanotech and terahertz technologies, and has introduced multi-vision metrology scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing, as well as groundbreaking 3D imaging and analysis tools. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its first subsidiary in 1982, in the USA, and now has subsidiaries worldwide. More information is available at www.advantest.com.

About SEMI Foundation and SEMI

SEMI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 2001 to support education and career awareness in the electronics and high tech fields through career exploration programs and scholarships. For more information, visit www.semifoundation.org. SEMI® connects over 2,000 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. FlexTech, the Fab Owners Alliance (FOA) and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) are SEMI Strategic Association Partners, defined communities within SEMI focused on specific technologies. Since 1970, SEMI has built connections that have helped its members prosper, create new markets, and address common industry challenges together. SEMI maintains offices in Bangalore, Berlin, Brussels, Grenoble, Hsinchu, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley (Milpitas, Calif.), Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org and follow SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter.

ADVANTEST CORPORATION
3061 Zanker Road
San Jose, CA 95134, USA
Judy Davies
Judy.davies@advantest.com