Agilent Technologies and Fudan University School of Microelectronics Open IC Testing Education Center to Train Engineers for China's Booming Semiconductor Industry.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif. & SHANGHAI, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 27, 2003

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and Fudan University, one of the leading universities in China, today announced the opening of the Fudan and Agilent Joint IC Testing Education Center, a new education facility for professionals in China's growing semiconductor industry.

Thousands of semiconductor engineers are expected to benefit from the creation of the center, which is expected to provide systematic IC testing training to both new and experienced engineers. The opening of the new center commemorates the 98th anniversary of Fudan University, and inaugurates Fudan's School of Microelectronic Engineering (SME).

The Fudan and Agilent Joint IC Testing Education Center plans to utilize Agilent's leading semiconductor testing equipment and expertise along with Fudan's prominent academic faculty to help accelerate development of China's semiconductor manufacturing industry.

The State Council of China in its Document 18 (i.e., Policies to Encourage the Development of Software Industry and Integrate Circuit Industry) has proclaimed the preferential support for the development of the semiconductor industry. The education center provides joint academic and application training programs to increase the number of semiconductor engineers and to advance their technical expertise.

"Shanghai is now one of the most important bases for the semiconductor industry in China. Fudan University's establishment of the School of Microelectronics in Pudong Zhangjiang High-Tech Park marks a major milestone and supports economic growth and educational advancement in China," said Jiang Sixian, vice mayor of Shanghai Municipal government. "The strategic collaboration between educational and industrial technology leaders accelerates the development of China's microelectronics industries."

"One of Fudan's main areas of interest is microelectronics. The establishment of SME in Pudong Zhangjiang High-Tech Park strengthens the academic and industrial partnership with nearby IC companies," said Dr. Wang Shenghong, president, Fudan University. "Fudan is well positioned to develop leaders for China's growing semiconductor industry. And Agilent is the perfect partner to help us make that happen."

"The semiconductor industry relies on technology, and that technology relies on human resources for application and innovation. Agilent is honored to contribute its worldwide experience to help develop the talents of a new generation of professionals for China's growing semiconductor industry," said Paul Yang, general manager for Semiconductor Test Equipment Group of Agilent China. "We plan to deliver valuable knowledge and equipment to help China achieve success in the semiconductor industry."

SME occupies 74 acres in the Pudong Zhangjiang High-Tech Park. The location enables the Fudan and Agilent Joint IC Testing Education Center to serve more than 60 nearby IC design houses, foundries, and packaging and test houses. The center's curriculum is expected to cover semiconductor test fundamentals, as well as testing product and application training. The initial programs offered are expected to focus on digital, mixed-signal, memory and RF areas, which are essential to China's growing semiconductor market.

Future plans of the collaboration are expected to include expansion of the ASIC and Systems State Key Lab, the only ASIC state key lab in China. The Agilent 93000 SOC test system was selected as a training and research system for this facility to assist with projects ranging from system architecture development to SOC chip design and testing and device design optimization.

About Fudan University

Fudan University was founded in 1905 in Shanghai, now is one of the leading universities in China with a long history and an international reputation for academic excellence. Fudan University is now focusing on "getting geared to the new century and developing Fudan into one of the world's leading universities." This goal, as set forth by President Jiang Zemin, involves a "three-year action scheme" to build Fudan into a high-level research-oriented university, with a comprehensive range of academic disciplines that will continue to characterize Fudan as one of the top universities in China, and one of the most influential universities in the world.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 32,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6 billion in fiscal year 2002. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This news release contains forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, statements relating to 1) Thousands of semiconductor engineers that are expected to benefit from the creation of the Fudan and Agilent Joint IC Testing Education Center; 2) The Center's ability to provide systematic IC testing training to both new and experienced engineers; 3) The Fudan and Agilent Joint IC Testing Education Center plans to utilize Agilent's leading semiconductor testing equipment and expertise along with Fudan's prominent academic faculty to help accelerate development of China's semiconductor manufacturing industry; 4) Agilent's ability to contribute its worldwide experience, knowledge and equipment to help develop the talents to help China achieve success in the semiconductor industry; and 5) Future plans of the collaboration that are expected to include expansion of the ASIC and Systems State Key Lab) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from management's current expectations. These and other risks are detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2002, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Jan. 31, 2003 and its Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 19, 2003. The company assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release.

Note to Editors: Further technology, corporate citizenship and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news.