Newcastle University in Singapore and AEM Holdings Partnership to Advance Semiconductor Innovation

Newcastle University in Singapore (NUiS) is partnering with AEM Holdings Ltd, a global leader in semiconductor test and handling solutions, to accelerate innovation and nurture talent in Singapore’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem.

With funding support from the Economic Development Board (EDB) under the Industrial Postgraduate Programme (EDB-IPP), this collaboration provides scholarships to postgraduate research students working on industry-relevant projects. EDB-IPP recipients receive postgraduate training in a corporate R&D environment through the EDB’s partnerships with companies and approved participating universities such as Newcastle University.

Four students currently enrolled in Newcastle University’s Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme are actively engaged in research that bridges academic expertise with real-world engineering challenges at AEM Holdings. As part of the EDB-IPP supported collaboration, these students are also full-time employees of AEM Holdings, allowing them to apply their academic learning directly within the industry while pursuing their MPhil degrees.

Collaborative Research Projects

Through this collaboration, the four MPhil students and their supervisors are currently working on four key projects that support AEM’s innovation goals:

• Smart Manufacturing through Collaborative Robotics
  Automating precision tasks such as soldering and epoxy application using safe, flexible robotic systems.
• IoT for Real-Time Production Visibility
  Deploying sensors, connected devices, and dashboards to digitise and streamline performance tracking in equipment assembly.
• Enhancing Thermal Reliability in Semiconductor Operations
  Developing advanced thermal monitoring and control strategies for AEM’s test platforms, ensuring that environmental stress is applied consistently, safely, and efficiently.
• AI- and IOT-Enabled Predictive Maintenance
  Using machine learning and IoT data to forecast equipment failures and optimise maintenance schedules.

 Together, these four projects target strategic areas where AEM aims to differentiate itself:

• Consistency and automation in manufacturing
• Digital visibility for smarter decision-making
• Higher equipment uptime and reduced cost of ownership
• Enhanced test accuracy and throughput

Beyond the immediate collaboration, the initiative showcases how this EDB-IPP initiative supports the development of engineering talent with practical, industry-based experience. It also reinforces Singapore’s position as a leading hub for semiconductor R&D and highlights the value of university–industry partnerships in solving complex technological challenges.

Team Members

This collaboration brings together a cross-disciplinary team of academic and industry experts:

From Newcastle University in Singapore:

• Dr Kheng Lim Goh (Lead Investigator)
• Dr Xinwei Li
• Dr Zijie Choong
• Dr JJ Chong
• Dr Sze Sing Lee

From AEM Holdings:

• Mr Johnson
• Mr Jensen Loo
• Mr Boon Tuck Tan
• Mr Oscar Tan

EDB IPP MPhil Candidates:

• Mr Lucas Tay
• Ms Yiting Kang
• Mr Muhammad Abdillah
• Mr Malcolm Leong

This partnership exemplifies how the IPP fosters meaningful collaboration between academia and industry, equipping students with hands-on experience while delivering impactful research outcomes. It also reinforces Singapore’s position as a hub for semiconductor R&D and innovation.

 

For more information about this AEM-Newcastle University collaboration, please contact:

Dr Kheng Lim Goh

Email: kheng-lim.goh@newcastle.ac.uk

For more information about research and postgraduate research opportunities at Newcastle University in Singapore, please contact:
General Enquires: +65 6908 6050

Programme Enquires: +65 6908 6001

Email: singapore.postgraduate@ncl.ac.uk