As global demand for semiconductors accelerates and talent becomes the sector's key differentiator, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), announced two initiatives to strengthen Singapore's semiconductor talent pipeline: the establishment of The Applied Materials Professorship, the University's first industry-based Professorship, and The Applied Materials Scholarship. Both initiatives are established in partnership with Applied Materials, with support from a $3 million endowed gift, and were launched in conjunction with the opening of Applied Materials’ new campus in Tampines.

Professor Stefan Winkler of the Engineering Cluster at SIT has been appointed as the inaugural Applied Materials Professor, while the new Applied Materials Scholarship will support deserving SIT Engineering undergraduates from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Together, the initiatives aim to build a pipeline of engineers, researchers and professionals equipped with competencies in semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced automation.

Key Facts at a Glance

“The inaugural Industrial Professorship with Applied Materials is a significant milestone for SIT, bringing industry and academia together to tackle key challenges in the semiconductor sector. Along with The Applied Materials Scholarship, our partnership deepens how we connect education, applied research and industry collaboration, to build a strong pipeline of talent with the competencies the sector needs," said Professor Chua Kee Chaing, President, SIT.

“In a rapidly evolving semiconductor landscape, talent will be the key differentiator. At Applied Materials, we are committed to creating more pathways for students to develop the skills, experience and mindset needed to thrive in this industry. Through the Applied Materials Professorship and Scholarship, we are strengthening our long-standing partnership with SIT, bringing applied research, learning, and workforce development together in a more integrated way," said Mr Brian Tan, Regional President, South East Asia, Applied Materials.

The Applied Materials Professorship: Advancing Semiconductor Research and Innovation

The Applied Materials Professorship, an endowed gift valued at $1 million, aims to advance the fields of semiconductor technologies, AI and robotics through focused research, innovation and applied learning to address high value and critical issues in the semiconductor sector. Leading this effort is Professor Stefan Winkler of the Engineering Cluster at SIT.

An established research leader in industry and academia, Professor Winkler brings deep expertise in AI, machine learning and computer vision, offering a distinctive cross-disciplinary perspective on a field increasingly shaped by intelligent automation and data-driven systems. This positions him to translate leading-edge AI research into tangible industry outcomes for semiconductor manufacturing.

Professor Winkler is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and an Industrial Distinguished Leader of the Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association.  He has published over 180 papers and contributed to international standards initiatives in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) and others. His research interests include artificial intelligence and machine learning, computer vision, language models and perception.

Prior to joining SIT, Professor Winkler was Research Director of Asus Intelligent Cloud Services (AICS) and Deputy Director at AI Singapore. He has also co-founded two start-ups, Opsis and Genista, and worked for a Silicon Valley company earlier in his career. Professor Winkler holds a Ph.D. from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland and a Dipl.-Ing.[1] from Technische Universität Wien, Austria.

Research Focus: Robotics and Agentic AI in Semiconductor Manufacturing and Operations

As Applied Materials Professor, Professor Winkler will lead research across semiconductor manufacturing, integrated service and maintenance operations. His work focuses on improving end-to-end productivity using robotics and agentic AI, including rare defect detection, and optimising manufacturing and equipment performance through smarter maintenance and precision automation.

These challenges remain difficult to address today due to the complexity of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and processes, the rarity of defects, and the limited availability of integrated, explainable AI systems that can work reliably with humans in the loop environments across both manufacturing and field operations.

The research aims to enable more autonomous, AI-driven, self-optimising manufacturing systems that operate reliably and efficiently. Intended outcomes include reducing unplanned downtime and recovery cycles, enabling proactive intervention before failures occur, and improving throughput and yield.

"I am honoured to be appointed as the inaugural Applied Materials Professor. Semiconductor manufacturing today faces real challenges, such as detecting rare defects, managing process variability and enabling precision automation, and these are the areas where applied research can make a meaningful difference. Through this Professorship, my colleagues and I at SIT will work closely with Applied Materials to develop more autonomous, AI-driven and self-optimising manufacturing systems. The combination of SIT's applied AI, robotics and manufacturing expertise with our work-integrated learning model gives us a strong foundation to translate research insights into real-world impact for the semiconductor sector," said Professor Stefan Winkler, SIT.

The Applied Materials Scholarship: Supporting the Next Generation of Engineering Workforce

The Applied Materials Scholarship, an endowed gift valued at S$2 million, will support deserving SIT Engineering undergraduates from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. The scholarship covers educational expenses, including tuition fees, course materials, expenses for overseas immersion programmes conducted by the University, and other University-organised educational activities.

Four Scholarships will be awarded in Academic Year 2026, with five Scholarships in Academic Year 2027, and at least six Scholarships from Academic Year 2028 onwards. The Applied Materials Scholarship aims to enable access to industry-relevant education and opportunities, nurturing talent equipped with critical semiconductor competencies. It underscores a shared commitment to developing a pipeline of industry-ready engineers for the future workforce.

A Long-standing Partnership Between Applied Materials and SIT

This latest scholarship commitment builds on Applied Materials’ longstanding support for SIT students. A donor of SIT since 2015, the company has supported SIT students through bursaries. For Academic Year 2026, Applied Materials will continue this support through eight Applied Materials Bursaries valued at S$5,000 each.

Beyond financial support, the long-standing Applied Materials and SIT partnership spans collaborative engagements, including tailored upskilling programmes for Applied Materials staff and SIT students’ Integrated Work Study Programme[2] attachments at Applied Materials. 

[1] Dipl.-Ing. (Diplomingenieur) is the degree title awarded upon completion of a master's programme at Technische Universität Wien and is equivalent to a Master of Science (MSc) degree. For more information, visit: https://www.tuwien.at/en/studies/studies/master-programmes

About Singapore Institute of Technology

As the university for industry and Singapore's first university of applied learning, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) offers industry-relevant degree programmes that prepare its graduates to be work- and future-ready professionals. Its mission is to maximise the potential of its learners and to innovate with industry, through an integrated applied learning and research approach, so as to contribute to the economy and society.