Future engineers are getting a firsthand look at Hawaiʻi’s growing microelectronics field, as the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Engineering wrapped up its first internship cycle tied to a multi-million-dollar national innovation hub.
The internship experience was part of the California-Pacific-Northwest AI Hardware Microelectronics Commons Hub, which received $15.3 million in federal funding as part of a larger $238 million U.S. Department of Defense initiative to strengthen U.S. leadership in advanced computer chip design and production. UH is part of the Northwest AI Hub along with several institutions, including Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.
Five undergraduate students participated in the inaugural internship at UH Mānoa, including three undergraduates who transferred from a UH community college. Their 10-week long experience included research and lectures on chip design and fabrication, with projects ranging from organic light-emitting diodes to pressure sensors. Students also became familiar with cleanroom practices and equipment, laying the foundation for continued work this fall.
Internship participant Jenny Brown, an electrical and computer engineering major, was also selected to travel to the University of Washington for four days to observe a cleanroom internship there. The visit provided insight into how other partner institutions run their programs and offered ideas that UH Mānoa can adapt for the next cohort, expected to expand in 2026.
“Working in UH’s microelectronics internship and visiting the cleanroom program at the University of Washington gave me a full perspective on how advanced chip design programs operate,” Brown said. “It showed me the growth and value of investing in Hawaiʻi‘s future. We have incredible, growing talent here, and I’m eager to bring back the inspired ideas and strategies to the next student cohort.”
Connecting with employers
As part of their experience, students took part in site visits to Nalu Scientific and the Naval Information Warfare Center, building connections with local employers. Program leaders said such visits are critical for showing students career opportunities in Hawaiʻi and supporting efforts to retain technical talent in the state.
“This first internship cycle showed how powerful hands-on training can be for our students,” Professor Jeffrey Weldon said. “They not only gained technical skills, but also built connections with local employers that will help strengthen Hawaiʻi’s high-tech workforce.”
UH Mānoa’s role in the $15.3 million project emphasizes both workforce training and industry engagement, bridging research expertise with practical experience. With the first round of internships completed, UH leaders plan to scale the program to reach more students in future years.
