University of Twente Partners with Teledyne Dalsa to Train Next Generation Chip Designers
Enschede, Tuesday, 24 February 2026.
The University of Twente has formed a strategic partnership with semiconductor company Teledyne Dalsa to address the critical talent shortage in chip design. This collaboration leverages Professor Bram Nauta’s 30-year leadership in integrated circuit design, where 85% of Teledyne Dalsa’s designers were trained directly or indirectly by his program. The partnership includes PhD students developing cutting-edge satellite technology so advanced that competitors cannot replicate it, positioning the Netherlands as a global leader in semiconductor innovation and bridging academic excellence with industry application.
A Three-Decade Foundation in Semiconductor Innovation
The collaboration between the University of Twente and Teledyne Dalsa builds upon nearly three decades of excellence in integrated circuit design. Professor Bram Nauta has led the Integrated Circuit Design department at the University of Twente for almost 30 years, establishing what he describes as “the haute couture among chipmakers worldwide” [1]. This partnership represents the semiconductor industry, specifically focusing on advanced chip design for applications including satellite technology. The relationship extends beyond traditional academic-industry partnerships, with Teledyne Dalsa’s director of operations Frank Hoekerswever noting that approximately 85% of the company’s designers were trained either directly or indirectly by Nauta [1][2]. This substantial talent pipeline demonstrates the university’s critical role in supplying skilled professionals to the semiconductor sector.
Bridging Academic Research with Commercial Applications
The partnership operates through a model where PhD students conduct research that directly benefits Teledyne Dalsa’s commercial objectives. According to Hoekerswever, “We also sponsor PhD students who conduct research for us,” creating a direct link between academic exploration and industry needs [1]. One particularly significant project involves a PhD student currently developing technology for satellites that will soon be deployed globally [1][2]. This satellite technology represents such an advanced breakthrough that Hoekerswever claims “our competitors can’t copy it,” providing Teledyne Dalsa with a substantial competitive advantage in the global semiconductor market [1][2]. The collaboration exemplifies how cutting-edge academic research can translate into commercially viable innovations with global applications.
The Twente Semiconductor Ecosystem
The University of Twente operates within a robust local semiconductor ecosystem that extends well beyond the academic campus. According to Nauta, nine chip companies are located within cycling distance of the University of Twente campus, creating a concentrated hub of semiconductor expertise [1]. This geographic concentration facilitates collaboration and knowledge transfer between academic researchers and industry practitioners. However, Nauta identifies a strategic gap in the current ecosystem, noting that “What Twente still lacks are companies that manufacture complete end products. We mainly develop technology here” [1]. He suggests the region would be “even more powerful” if it included companies that build finished systems to demonstrate the real-world applications of their chip innovations [1].
Global Recognition and Future Prospects
The Twente semiconductor ecosystem has achieved international recognition for its innovative approach to talent development and research collaboration. The partnership between the University of Twente and Teledyne Dalsa is part of a broader initiative called “Accelerate Next Tech,” which showcases the region’s medtech and sustainable technology ecosystem to international entrepreneurs [2]. This initiative, jointly developed by Oost NL and Twente Board, highlights how the region has become a place where “future technology is not only envisioned, it is engineered and launched” [2]. The success of this model demonstrates how strategic partnerships between universities and industry can address talent shortages while driving innovation in critical technology sectors. As of February 2026, this collaboration continues to produce graduates and research outcomes that strengthen the Netherlands’ position in the global semiconductor value chain.