AMSTERDAM, May 23 Reuters European tech giant ASML and the Eindhoven University of Technology said on Thursday they have agreed to spend a combined 180 million euros 195 million on semiconductor research over the coming decade.

ASML, the largest supplier of equipment used in computer chip manufacturing, has been struggling with where and how it will expand operations, and with questions over whether the workforce and other infrastructure in the Netherlands39; Eindhoven region will be enough to meet its growth plans.

The collaboration will increase the availability of PhDs, which our industry has a strong need for, and will provide scientific insights that are relevant to the chip industry and society, ASML CFO Roger Dassen said in a statement announcing the deal.

With this agreement we are investing in science in the Netherlands and in training experts.

The university said it expects to spend 100 million euros to build and run a advanced cleanroom facility where it will conduct semiconductor related research into fields including plasma physics, mechatronics, optics and AI. ASML is investing 80 million euros.

University President RobertJan Smits said the partnership was the largest ever for the university, and would help cement Eindhoven39;s importance as a semicon hotspot.

The Dutch government in March said it would spend 2.7 billion on what it dubbed Project Beethoven to improve roads, housing and the electric grid around Eindhoven to ensure that ASML did not…