Dutch University Plans to Train 2,000 Extra Semiconductor Engineers to Meet Industry Demand
Eindhoven, Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
Eindhoven University of Technology will dramatically expand its semiconductor programs, adding nearly 2,000 master’s students and creating 15 new specialized tracks to address critical talent shortages in the Netherlands’ chip industry. The ambitious expansion, supported by €90 million in government funding through the Beethoven initiative, includes hiring 10 new electrical engineering professors and building new cleanroom facilities by 2027. This strategic move reinforces the Netherlands’ position as a global semiconductor hub, particularly supporting ASML and the broader Brainport Eindhoven ecosystem.
Beethoven Initiative Drives Massive Educational Expansion
The expansion represents a 15 percent increase in TU/e’s total student population, targeting four key departments: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics and Science Education, and Mathematics & Computer Science [1]. The university expects to receive €90 million from The Hague for the Beethoven project, funding that cannot be used to offset existing budget cuts [1]. This financial commitment underscores the Dutch government’s recognition of the semiconductor sector’s strategic importance, following a €2.5 billion national investment in the microchip sector announced on March 28, 2024 [1].
Strategic Focus on Master’s Programs and International Recruitment
TU/e’s approach prioritizes master’s programs over bachelor’s degrees due to the immediate industry need for advanced graduates in the semiconductor sector [1]. The university plans to recruit international students while simultaneously increasing the flow from their own bachelor’s programs to master’s programs [1]. For every 13 extra students, TU/e requires one additional academic staff member, plus one support staff member per academic staff member, highlighting the substantial infrastructure investment required [1]. The Electrical Engineering department alone is hiring 10 new professors across all levels, from Assistant Professor to Full Professor, as announced on January 11, 2026 [2]. These positions focus on translating laboratory breakthroughs into real-world innovations in areas including wireless communication, power systems, and integrated circuits [2].
Industry Partnerships and Infrastructure Development
The university has established significant partnerships with major industry players, including ASML since May 23, 2024, KU Leuven and IMEC since July 1, 2024, and international collaborations with South Korea since December 12, 2023, and Taiwan since August 22, 2023 [1]. The ASML collaboration specifically involves training 80 PhD students and additional master’s students using a new cleanroom facility [1]. Construction of this cleanroom is scheduled to begin in 2026, with a new laboratory building targeted for completion by 2027 [1]. Additional space will be created in existing buildings as early as 2025 to accommodate the immediate expansion needs [1].
Regional Ecosystem and Long-term Impact
The initiative extends beyond TU/e through collaboration with Fontys University of Applied Sciences, exploring a shared first year for semiconductor-relevant programs to improve transitions between HBO and university education [1]. TU/e will also participate in the Brainport Academy, providing lifelong learning opportunities for alumni in the semiconductor field, targeting approximately 60 students annually for upskilling and retraining [1]. The broader Brainport Eindhoven region, which houses nearly 7,000 tech companies and grows at an average rate of 3.5 percent annually—more than twice the national average—provides the industrial context for this educational expansion [7]. ASML’s planned construction of a second location at BIC-Noord beginning in 2026 further demonstrates the region’s continued growth trajectory [7]. The Casimir Institute, TU/e’s new research center for future chips and high-tech systems, supports this ecosystem with over 700 researchers collaborating on semiconductors, photonics, quantum technologies, materials, and high-tech systems, backed by a €200 million investment [7].