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When Ian Ch’ng Ying Zhe enrolled in the MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme at the University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM), he had little idea that his journey would eventually lead to a career at the heart of Europe’s semiconductor industry. Today, as a Field Applications Engineer at Synopsys UK, Ian serves as a vital link between one of the world’s leading electronic design automation (EDA) companies and chip designers across Europe.
In this customer-facing role, Ian functions as the technical liaison between Synopsys and design engineers, supporting them in signing off their chip designs using Synopsys’ industry-leading EDA tools such as PrimeTime and PrimeClosure.
“My job is to demonstrate the value of Synopsys’ EDA solutions to our customers, and to ensure their success by providing technical support and training, it’s a dynamic role that combines technical expertise with strong communication and problem-solving skills.”
Ian graduated in July 2023 with First-Class Honours in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. His passion for semiconductors first took shape during their studies at UoSM, particularly through hands-on chip design projects embedded within the curriculum.
“My highlight at UoSM was the chip design project in Part II of my programme,” Ian recalls. “I remember countless hours spent working with my teammates—it was full of both successes and flops (pun intended!). But it was that experience that truly sparked my interest in the semiconductor field.”
Eager to turn that passion into practice, Ian pursued a summer internship at Intel Penang in 2022, working in the Pre-Silicon Validation department. That experience, he say, became the springboard for their career, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world engineering.
After graduation, Ian joined Synopsys UK, where they continue to build on that foundation, this time supporting design teams across Europe in achieving “silicon success.” Beyond his core responsibilities, he plays an active role in facilitating student projects through the Synopsys Academic and Research Alliances (SARA) programme, including final-year Group Design Projects for MEng students at the University of Southampton.
“The SARA programme aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry in semiconductors,” Ian says. “That aligns perfectly with my belief that cutting-edge EDA technologies should be made more accessible to university students.”
Looking back, Ian attributes much of their professional success to the challenging, collaborative environment at UoSM.
“My time at UoSM had a great positive impact on my career. The group design projects gave me hands-on experience in solving real-world problems. On top of that, leading those projects helped me develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential in my role today. The industry thrives on teamwork—just like we did back in university.”
“Never be afraid of a challenge, especially as a student! Every mistake is a learning opportunity, and this is the best time to make mistakes and learn from them.”
From tackling complex chip design assignments at UoSM to supporting leading semiconductor companies today, Ian’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, curiosity, and hands-on learning; values that continue to define the UoSM engineering experience.
