Philippine Embassy in Rome and Xinyx Design introduce young Filipinos in Italy to careers in microchip design

A Diaspora Talent Engagement Program at the embassy and school visits to IMS and IPSI pitched integrated circuit design as a high-value STEM path for the Filipino community's next generation.

The Embassy of the Philippines in Rome and Xinyx Design Consultancy and Services, Inc. held a series of meetings in September to introduce young Filipinos living in Italy to careers in semiconductors, and in particular integrated circuit (IC) design, ItalyReview Magazine reported.

The sessions on 22 and 24 September were aimed mainly at the younger generation, encouraging them to look beyond traditional career paths and towards STEM disciplines and the microchip sector.

Diaspora Talent Engagement Program at the embassy

The centrepiece was the "Diaspora Talent Engagement Program", hosted on 24 September in the embassy's Social Hall and attended by young people, parents and representatives of Filipino community organisations. Ambassador Imperial, the Philippine envoy to Italy, opened the event, noting that IC design now underpins everyday tools from smartphones and electronic passports to electric vehicles and artificial intelligence.

According to ItalyReview, the ambassador said Europe, including Italy, is investing heavily in microelectronics and semiconductors, and that the embassy wants this to be an opportunity young Filipinos in Italy can seize by looking beyond traditional career paths.

Xinyx President and General Manager Charade Avondo outlined the global semiconductor industry, Xinyx IC Design director John Imperial explained how an integrated circuit is designed and where the Philippines' strengths in the sector lie, and Business Development Executive An Christine Gojar spoke about microelectronics careers in the Philippines, Italy and the rest of Europe. Students and parents asked about the skills needed, job prospects and access to scholarships.

During the seminars, speakers said tens of thousands of IC design engineers will be needed worldwide over the next ten years, and that starting incomes for new engineers can reach €4,000 and more, the magazine reported.

Campus Connect Caravan visits Filipino schools

The project also involved the International Migrants' School (IMS) and the International Philippine School in Italy (IPSI), which hosted embassy and Xinyx representatives. Xinyx said its Campus Connect Caravan with the International Migrants School – Italy covered:

• The semiconductor industry and its global relevance
• The fundamentals of IC design
• Career pathways in microelectronics
• Insights from engineers and industry practitioners
• An interactive Q&A with Xinyx professionals

Deputy Chief of Mission Donna Gatmaytan delivered the opening remarks at the Campus Connect session, and during the school visits she encouraged students to consider high-impact STEM paths when choosing university studies.

Xinyx also donated "Connected Futures", a painting by Marc Kennard Desierdo, to the embassy. The company said the artwork, with an integrated circuit at its centre, reflects "the role of Filipino talent in an increasingly connected global industry."

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