Techniques for designing and managing international collaborations

Many industries and fields of research rely on international collaborations to solve complex problems. My field of expertise – electrical and computer engineering, with a special emphasis on integrated circuits, high-performance computing and very large-scale integrated circuits and systems – is no exception. Consequently, in my work, I have witnessed first-hand the opportunities in – and challenges of – launching and managing international collaborations. 

A successful international initiative ensures that all stakeholders – universities, industry leaders, students, communities at large – benefit from the partnership. But how do we get there? Below are key steps and strategies for successfully designing and sustaining such a programme, illustrated by a real-world example.

How an international collaboration benefits research and teaching

The US-Japan University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research & Development in Semiconductors (Upwards) is an international partnership of 11 Japanese and US universities. The institutions involved in the collaboration, which was launched in 2023, benefit through their research but also in the ability to offer specialised areas of study. 

• Spotlight guide: How to demonstrate research excellence
• The foundations of a successful knowledge transfer partnership
• Leveraging international collaborations to tackle global health challenges

The initiative, which is funded – and joined – by Micron Technology, Tokyo Electronics and the National Science Foundation (NSF), develops advanced curricula, promotes industry-backed education and builds collaborative research in semiconductor technologies. In doing so, it strives to cultivate a more robust talent pipeline for the semiconductor industry. Upwards plans, over five years, to engage about 5,000 students, so it helps to effectively prepare the next generation of engineers for the evolving demands of industry. At Virginia Tech, for example, we now offer a chip-scale integration major.

Designing and managing a global initiative

As the principal investigator (PI) of the Upwards initiative, I have actionable techniques for setting up and managing these types of large-scale, collaborative endeavours.

1. Enlist help: I work closely with my co-PI on this project and have a network of fellow professors here and in partner universities who take on myriad responsibilities.
2. Establish clear goals and objectives: Any successful international collaboration begins with a shared vision. By defining these objectives early on, we ensured that all participating universities and industry partners aligned their efforts with a common purpose. For Upwards, university participants’ primary goals were:

• semiconductor research: conduct cross-university research collaboration with Upwards faculty and undergraduate and graduate researchers
• curriculum design and implementation: develop semiconductor-specific courses focused on design, process and development
• experiential learning: create classroom seminars and conduct fabrication and factory tours and lab experiences
• student and faculty exchanges: support short- and long-term student and faculty exchange programmes for US stakeholders in Japan and Japanese stakeholders in the US.

3. Structure regular meetings: Clear and frequent communication is the foundation of any international collaboration. To ensure the programme runs smoothly, we implemented:

• monthly virtual check-ins to discuss progress, challenges and next steps. To accommodate the time zones involved, we met late afternoon in Virginia Tech’s eastern US time zone, which was early morning for our Japanese counterparts
• quarterly in-person or hybrid summits to catalyse deeper collaboration and networking
• working groups dedicated to curriculum development, research innovation and student outreach
• industry feedback sessions with industry partners to ensure our research and training align with workforce needs.

4. Agree on communication channels: On this project, we use Slack for quick-response dialogue and Trillo plus Asana for tracking project progress. Researchers should use whatever platforms work best for their teams and continuously update them.
5. Leverage your academic institution’s resources: Your university probably offers an industry partnership hub to connect industry leaders and help secure funding. You will also want to check your institution’s exchange programmes, so students and faculty can travel internationally for immersive learning. To illustrate with Upwards, Virginia Tech’s LINK – the centre for industry partnerships – liaised with semiconductor companies and helped us secure funding. We also received NSF support to sustain and expand the initiative.
6. Make the collaboration experiential: Offering hands-on opportunities such as research assistantships and international research experiences help undergraduate and graduate students gain valuable insights into the semiconductor field.

Where to troubleshoot when collaborating internationally

Even with careful design, I advise being prepared for challenges of international collaboration. These generally fall into categories including:

• Intellectual property and ownership: Determining who owns the research outcomes, patents and licensing rights can be complex. Align on these beforehand.
• Regulatory restrictions: Semiconductor technology is highly regulated, with governments imposing restrictions on knowledge-sharing. Make sure you know the regulations in your partner countries.
• Cultural differences: Universities prioritise long-term, fundamental research, while companies focus on short-term, market-driven innovations. Keep goals and expectations transparent.
• Data management and cybersecurity: Sensitive research data must be protected from cyber threats, espionage and leaks, requiring strict security protocols and compliance with international data laws.

Strong leadership, clear agreements and robust security measures are essential for success. By carefully structuring the initiative with clear objectives, strong communication and strategic resource use – and knowing where pitfalls may lie to prepare for them – international collaborations can thrive and drive impactful change in education and industry.

Yang (Cindy) Yi is professor in the Bradley department of electrical and computer engineering, faculty member at the Innovation Campus, and director of Multifunctional Integrated Circuits & Systems, at Virginia Tech.