DALIAN: Chip giant Intel Corp yesterday announced its cooperation to establish a training base to support its $2.5-billion investment in a 12-inch wafer fab plant in the port city of Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

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With a total investment of 348 million yuan from Intel, the municipal government and Dalian University of Technology (DUT), work on a semiconductor technology institute will start late this year and is expected to start enrolling in August 2008, Mayor Xia Deren said at the signing ceremony for the establishment of the institute.

The institute will be managed by DUT, and Intel will donate an 8-inch chip production line to it.

A day earlier, Intel announced its largest-ever investment to build a wafer fab plant in the city, a milestone in China's bid to attract foreign investment in high-tech sector.

"With the Intel investment, Dalian will not only become the largest manufacturing base for semiconductor chips but also the most advanced training base in the country," Xia said.

The mayor also said the city will provide sufficient talent, besides the best infrastructure and services, for the success of Intel's project in China.

"The development of a strong education base and an excellent training environment will provide an important platform to the city and the Northeast to enhance their base of innovation," said Intel China President Wee Theng Tan.

Besides training local talent, Intel will help in faculty training and curriculum development, Tan said.

(China Daily 03/28/2007 page14)