11:45 – 12:00
Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: The Journey of the First Saudi Fab
When we first set out to build Saudi Arabia’s first semiconductor fab, we faced significant challenges: limited supply chains, a shortage of local talent, and few academic programs in the field. But rather than seeing these as obstacles, we saw them as opportunities. We partnered with universities to develop new programs, provide training and internships, and build the skills needed for a thriving semiconductor workforce. Today, our company is not only helping shape a robust local ecosystem but also serving as the bridge between international technology leaders and the Kingdom, driving innovation and empowering the next generation of talent.
Dr. Abdullah Alshehri
Saudi Electronic Materials Company
Dr. Abdullah earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Brighton and pursued both his Master’s and PhD at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), specializing in circuit design and developing low-power, high-performance ASICs for MEMS sensors. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Umm Al Qura University and serves on the KAUST Saudi Alumni Executive Committee. Dr. Abdullah has authored and co-authored more than 10 research papers, co-founded TRYSL Tech and DeepCARES, and leads the Business Development Unit at the Saudi Electronics Material Company, with professional experience collaborating with Aramco, STC, and Cadence.
Company Profile
The Saudi Electronic Materials Company (SEMC) is a pioneering semiconductor company, specializing in MEMS, infrared (IR), and CMOS technologies. Equipped with advanced cleanroom facilities and full in-house capabilities across design, fabrication, packaging, and testing. SEMC delivers end-to-end semiconductor solutions for industrial and high-tech sectors. Through strong global partnerships and alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, SEMC is building a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem and strengthening the Kingdom’s position in the global Semiconductor market.
Company Products & Services
SEMC offers a portfolio of advanced semiconductor products and technical services centered on MEMS, CMOS, and infrared sensing technologies. Its products include microbolometer thermal imaging detectors with pixel sizes ranging from 35 µm to 14 µm, and MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers, all designed and manufactured in-house with full integration from sensor to ASIC and packaging.
In addition, SEMC provides comprehensive services covering device design, mixed-signal circuit development, thin-film deposition, photolithography, dry etching, nano-analysis, failure analysis, wafer-level characterization, reliability testing, packaging, and specialized clean room training—enabling customers to move from concept to qualified semiconductor solutions.
Dr. Abdullah earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Brighton and pursued both his Master’s and PhD at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), specializing in circuit design and developing low-power, high-performance ASICs for MEMS sensors. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Umm Al Qura University and serves on the KAUST Saudi Alumni Executive Committee. Dr. Abdullah has authored and co-authored more than 10 research papers, co-founded TRYSL Tech and DeepCARES, and leads the Business Development Unit at the Saudi Electronics Material Company, with professional experience collaborating with Aramco, STC, and Cadence.
Company Profile
The Saudi Electronic Materials Company (SEMC) is a pioneering semiconductor company, specializing in MEMS, infrared (IR), and CMOS technologies. Equipped with advanced cleanroom facilities and full in-house capabilities across design, fabrication, packaging, and testing. SEMC delivers end-to-end semiconductor solutions for industrial and high-tech sectors. Through strong global partnerships and alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, SEMC is building a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem and strengthening the Kingdom’s position in the global Semiconductor market.
Company Products & Services
SEMC offers a portfolio of advanced semiconductor products and technical services centered on MEMS, CMOS, and infrared sensing technologies. Its products include microbolometer thermal imaging detectors with pixel sizes ranging from 35 µm to 14 µm, and MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers, all designed and manufactured in-house with full integration from sensor to ASIC and packaging.
In addition, SEMC provides comprehensive services covering device design, mixed-signal circuit development, thin-film deposition, photolithography, dry etching, nano-analysis, failure analysis, wafer-level characterization, reliability testing, packaging, and specialized clean room training—enabling customers to move from concept to qualified semiconductor solutions.
