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Students to benefit from Wokingham-based semiconductor giant – University of Reading

A newly-refurbished laboratory will be opened at the University of Reading this week – thanks to a £40,000 investment from Microchip Technology Inc.

Microchip Technology – whose European Headquarters is based in Wokingham - is a major supplier of microcontrollers, digital signal controller and analogue ICs and has an established track record of supporting education through the donation of funding, equipment and software.

The School of Systems Engineering already uses Microchip Technology's devices in its teaching and project work and when an opportunity arose to refurbish an existing teaching laboratory, an approach was made to see if further support would be forthcoming.

Chris Guy, Head of the School of Systems Engineering, said: "Students on Electronic Engineering and Cybernetics courses will benefit greatly from this exciting new development. It will enhance the learning of all existing students whilst acting as a major recruitment tool for potential undergraduates."

Ganesh Moorthy, Executive Vice-President said "Microchip was delighted to offer a full package to enhance the laboratory, which now boasts a full suite of the latest Microchip Technology hardware, software and development tools. The funding also allowed the laboratory to be fitted out with new benches and chairs, greatly enhancing the look, comfort and student experience. It has been a pleasure to partner with one of the leading technology Universities and to help ensure students learn in a modern, hi tech environment."

Ends

Notes to editors:

The new lab will be officially opened by Deputy Vice Chancellor Tony Downes on Friday September 28 at 10.30am. Media are invited to attend.

More information about the University of Reading's School of Systems Engineering:

The School of Systems Engineering was formed in 1998 following recognition by the University of the significant opportunities available both in teaching and research from a greater degree of integration between the related disciplines of Computer Science, Cybernetics, Electronic Engineering and Information Systems. Increasingly, the development of novel technology involves interdisciplinary links between once disparate subjects and new innovative ways of combining established disciplines.

Our School, with its unique mix of skills in Information Technology, Computer Science, Communications, Feedback and Control, grounded in firm scientific and engineering principles, is well placed to both develop and exploit the emerging technologies that will play a key role in wealth creation and in defining the way society both works, and plays, well into this new Millennium.

More information about Microchip:

Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. The Company offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality.

• Founded in 1989

• Publicly held (NASDAQ: MCHP)

• $1.039 billion in net sales for fiscal year 2007 (ending March 31, 2007)

• More than 4,500 employees worldwide

• More than 45 sales offices worldwide

• More than 34 worldwide Regional Training Centers

• Manufacturing facilities: Tempe, AZ; Gresham, OR; Bangkok, Thailand

• Development centers: Bangalore, India; Lausanne, Switzerland; Santa Clara, CA; Chandler, AZ; Bucharest, Romania; Bangkok, Thailand; Manila, Philippines

• The Company's quality systems are ISO/TS-16949:2002 certified

• Ranked #1 in worldwide revenue and shipments of 8-bit microcontrollers, according to

• Gartner Dataquest

• Has shipped well over 5 billion PIC® microcontrollers

• Corporate headquarters: 2355 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85224, United States

For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.