University of Idaho and Hiroshima University Launch Joint Engineering Program to Address Semiconductor Workforce Shortage
The University of Idaho has announced a new international degree pathway with Hiroshima University in Japan, creating a structured four-year program aimed at training the next generation of electrical engineers for careers in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and energy systems.
The program, called the Microchip Engineering and Security Alliance — or MESA — will enroll its first cohort of students beginning in August 2026. The partnership comes as industry projections indicate demand for semiconductor-related professionals could exceed one million unfilled positions worldwide by 2030.
How the MESA Program Works
Under the MESA structure, students spend their first two years studying electrical engineering in English at Hiroshima University in Japan, then complete the remaining two years of their degree at U of I’s Moscow campus. Crucially, participants are enrolled as University of Idaho students from the moment they begin, not as transfer students entering mid-program.
“Students in this program are University of Idaho students from day one,” said Dean Kahler, U of I’s vice provost for strategic enrollment management. “They start with us, receive support while studying in Japan and then complete their degree in Moscow.”
To support students during their time abroad, U of I will maintain dedicated classroom and office space on the Hiroshima University campus. The program is open to Idaho residents, domestic applicants, and international students. University leaders said the program’s structure and cost may be particularly well-suited for out-of-state and international applicants, while donor-supported scholarships are being established to help Idaho students offset expenses.
U of I College of Engineering Dean Suzie Long highlighted the program’s practical advantages for students entering a competitive job market. “If your goal is to be hired quickly in the U.S. semiconductor industry or internationally, this is the path,” Long said. University leaders have set a goal of enrolling up to 100 new MESA students annually.
A Partnership Rooted in Post-War History
The new program deepens a relationship between the two universities that stretches back more than seven decades. In 1951, Hiroshima University’s president reached out to institutions worldwide seeking assistance as the city rebuilt following the atomic bombing at the end of World War II. U of I was among a small number of American universities to respond. A U of I forestry professor named Merrill Deters sent tree seeds, a forestry text, and a modest personal donation of three dollars — a gesture that helped establish lasting goodwill between the institutions.
That early act of generosity has since grown into a formal academic exchange. In recent years, the partnership expanded to include a short-term cultural and educational exchange for students from both schools, with the first U of I cohort scheduled to travel to Hiroshima this spring.
Sean Quinlan, dean of U of I’s College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, has been instrumental in developing the international partnership. “Japan and the United States were once adversaries, and today they’re not just allies — they’re partners and friends,” Quinlan said. “This partnership reflects that shared future.”
The MESA program also connects well with U of I’s existing research infrastructure. The Moscow campus houses fabrication, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence laboratories that will support students when they return for their final two years of study. Hiroshima University contributes expertise in materials engineering and device engineering, creating a complementary academic foundation that program administrators say positions graduates directly for high-demand industry roles.
The launch of MESA reflects a broader push at U of I to position Idaho as a contributor to the national semiconductor and technology workforce pipeline — an effort that aligns with federal and industry investment in domestic chip production and AI development. As U of I continues expanding its research profile, the Vandals are making headlines beyond the engineering building as well, with athletes and researchers alike drawing national attention — including a U of I physicist who recently contributed to a groundbreaking discovery about a ring around Uranus.
What Comes Next
The inaugural MESA cohort is set to begin in August 2026, with students departing for Hiroshima to start their coursework. U of I officials are actively recruiting for the program, which is open to applicants from Idaho and beyond. Additional details, including admissions information and scholarship opportunities, are available through the university’s MESA program page. University leadership has indicated plans to scale enrollment toward the 100-students-per-year target as the program matures.