From Vision to Impact

Shaping 20 years of Semiconductor Future

From its early identity as MIDAS to its transformation into SSIA, the association has grown not only in size and scope, but in purpose and impact.

For two decades, SSIA has served as the nexus of the semiconductor industry, government, and academia — shaping policy, growing talent, enabling transformation, and advocating sustainability.

As we celebrate this 20-year milestone, we don’t just look back in pride,
we look forward with purpose.

The next chapter of Singapore’s semiconductor journey is waiting to be written. As the industry catalyst, connector and community builder, SSIA is ready to shape our future together to shape what’s next.

Canvas of Care Art Auction

As SSIA turns 20, we celebrate our journey by giving back. Partnering with Shaping Hearts and North East Community Development Council (NECDC), our Canvas of Care auction features five artworks that capture the values shaping our story.

Formation 2005 – 2017

The Birth of MIDAS

Launched MIDAS (Microelectronics IC Design and Systems Association) by Ulf Schneider, with the support from A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME) to unify Singapore’s IC design community and strengthen Singapore’s position as a global electronics hub.

Laying the Foundations of
Talent and Collaboration

Focused on talent and technical exchange through workshops and training in partnership with NUS and NTU — laying early roots between industry and academia.

A New Identity — SSIA is Born

Rebranded as SSIA to reflect a broader mandate across the entire semiconductor value chain, from design to fabrication, packaging, materials, equipment and research.

Ecosystem Building and Partnerships

Organised roundtables, forums, and workforce programmes, and forged strategic partnerships with A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME), the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), and Workforce Singapore (WSG), accelerating ecosystem growth.

I saw so much untapped potential here. Singapore had brilliant engineers, growing companies, and world-class research. But what was missing was a unified voice to tell our story to the world.

Ulf Schneider

Founder and President | 2005 – 2016

By 2007, the first industry summit drew close to 50 to 60 participants. It wasn’t the size that mattered, but the sense that industry and academia finally had a shared platform to exchange ideas.

Professor Yeo Kiat Seng

Executive Leadership Member | 2005 – 2014

What mattered most was purpose, from meeting like-minded people to building the community, and to sustaining momentum. We were all driven by passion. That kept us going for more than a decade.

Meenu Sarin

Honorary Assistant Secretary 2005 – 2018

Transformation 2018 – 2019

A Reboot and New Chapter for Sustainable Growth

Undertook a strategic renewal led by industry veterans, including Kay Chai “KC” Ang, Russell Tham, Andrew Chong, and Lee Kok Choy, working in close partnership with the Economic Development Board (EDB), to align with the Electronics Industry Transformation Map (ITM) — a new chapter for sustainable growth.

Professionalising SSIA for Purpose and Progress

Appointed a full-time Executive Director, Ang Wee Seng, to drive institutional growth.
Published the inaugural issue of VOICE magazine and hosted the 50-Year Semiconductor Summit graced by then-DPM Tharman.
Instituitionalised flagship events like the SSIA Summit and Electronics Industry Day, engaging 1,000+ students.
Enabled over 600 mid-career transitions through CCP/PCP programmes, and boosted SME digital capabilities.

We had to move SSIA from being events-led to being outcomes-led. That meant professionalising governance, building a stronger secretariat, and anchoring around three pillars — Voice, to be the credible advocate for Singapore’s semiconductor industry; People, to develop talent and leadership pipelines; and Growth, to strengthen SMEs and industry partnerships. Those pillars became the compass that set SSIA on a new trajectory.

Kay Chai (KC) Ang

Advisory Board 2016 – 2018  | Renewal Panel 2018
Board Member 2019 – 2021

We recognised the importance of aligning, making the effort, and ultimately passing on the baton. That rhythm of engagement and shared commitment set the tone for the renewal.

Russell Tham

Advisory Board: 2017 to 2108 | Renewal Panel: 2018

The first step towards SSIA’s success was to create the new vision and to have the resources to deliver the services our members needed. In order to execute the re-boot in 2018, we needed the financial capability to hire the right people to develop the best programmes.

Andrew Chong

Advisory Board : 2017 | Renewal Panel: 2018 | Chairman 2018 – 2022 

Fellowship is key. If we wanted true collaboration, we had to invest, not just money, but time, trust, and commitment. We needed to show the industry that SSIA could be a place where everyone contributed to something bigger than themselves.

Lee Kok Choy

Renewal Panel 2018

Expansion 2020 – 2024

Championing Equity, Inclusion & SME Transformation

Hosted the first-ever Semiconductor Women’s Forum (11 March) with 700+ attendees — a bold step for inclusive leadership.
Expanded the SME Transformation Programme, helping local firms adopt advanced manufacturing technologies.

Inspiring the Next Generation Through Talent Development

Rolled out the IC Design Summer Camp with AMD, GlobalFoundries, and EDB — nurturing future chip designers and strengthening local talent pipelines.

Celebrating 55 Years with a Focus on Sustainability and Globalisation Agenda

Celebrated 55 years of Singapore’s semiconductor journey with the largest gala to date (1,500 attendees), graced by then-Minister for Trade & Industry, Mr. Gan Kim Yong.
Welcomed Jennifer Teong as SSIA’s first female Chairperson — a step forward for inclusive leadership.
Formed the Semiconductor Sustainability Committee and launched a sustainability track at Business Connect 2023.
Led international missions to the US, China, Netherlands, Hungary, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan to expand global networks.

Deepening Talent Pathways and Industry Engagement

Scaled youth engagement with IC Design Summer Camp and Electronics Industry Day.
Expanded the Semiconductor Active Youth (SAY) Ambassador Programme, giving students real-world fab exposure and mentorship.

Powered by Purpose

Marked 20 years of impact — with record-high participation at Business Connect and thousands of students inspired.
Advanced talent transformation, ecosystem growth, and sustainability efforts — ready to shape the next frontier of semiconductor leadership.

SSIA has grown in scope and impact, but what makes it powerful is that it has stayed grounded. It supports members with practical initiatives while championing the big shifts that will shape our future. As the heartbeat of our industry, we will continue to attract, advocate, and advance—not just for the next 20 years, but for generations to come.

Brian Tan

Chairman 2024 – present | Vice Chairman 2020 – 2024 | Treasurer 2018 – 2020

Today, I am heartened that industry leaders see us as their voice and partner. SSIA is not only central to the industry’s present, but also indispensable to its future. But we are not resting on our laurels, as there will always be new ground to cover, and the alignment between our vision and industry’s perception is stronger than ever. SSIA will continue to unite stakeholders, nurture leadership, drive sustainable practices, and strengthen global collaboration.

Ang Wee Seng

Executive Director 2018 – present