Harnessing geographically distributed co-operation in microtechnology course at Massey University

A good knowledge of the basics and an appreciation of a selection of advanced topics of microelectronic and microsystem technologies are vitally important for engineering graduates who are going to work for leading national and multinational hi-tech companies in New Zealand or overseas. The emphasis in Massey University\´s engineering programs is on the digital domain. However a limited exposure is also provided to analogue and microsystems design methodologies. The taught component of the electronics curriculum culminates in the fourth year module "Advanced Micro Technologies". New Zealand\´s lack of commercial wafer and IC fabrication facilities, as well as very limited pools of VLSI and microsystem design and test companies, specialists and available tools have been resolved by forming linkages with overseas partner universities and companies. Such collaboration has been very promising and has resulted in getting access to advanced design, fabrication and test facilities, as well as to design tools and expertise