Panel - Powering the future: people, skills, partnerships / Moderator: Romano Hoofman

As Europe works to secure its leadership in deep tech and semiconductors in particular, a skilled and agile workforce is critical. This panel brings together experts from engineering education, national research infrastructure, government innovation policy, and industry to explore how people, skills, and partnerships can shape a resilient innovation ecosystem.

The discussion will highlight how academic institutions are evolving to better prepare students for complex, multidisciplinary careers in microelectronics and systems engineering. It will also explore how national research centers are cultivating specialized talent and fostering connections between R&D and industry needs. From a policy perspective, the panel will examine how governments are designing long-term frameworks to support innovation, skills development, and regional ecosystem growth. Finally, the industry viewpoint will focus on building sustainable partnerships that drive workforce development and accelerate technology transfer.

The session will address how Europe can attract, train, and retain talent globally through strong, coordinated collaboration across borders and sectors.