In a significant milestone for Indian higher education and research, Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) is making history as the first university from India to showcase its cutting-edge innovations at the prestigious 62nd Design Automation Conference (DAC) being held in San Francisco from June 22 to 25, 2025. The annual DAC is widely regarded as the world’s leading event for the semiconductor and electronic design automation (EDA) industry, and CUTM’s participation marks a proud moment not just for the university, but for the entire Indian academic community.

Themed “Chips to Systems”, DAC 2025 is bringing together global leaders from the fields of EDA, semiconductor design, and systems innovation. Tech giants such as Siemens, ChipAgents AI, Synopsys, Keysight, Ansys, Cadence, and Rocket Software are among the headline exhibitors, showcasing the latest technological breakthroughs that are shaping the future of electronics and system-level design. In this elite company, Centurion University stands out as the only academic institution from India to be represented at the event, reinforcing its status as a pioneer in research-driven, skill-integrated education.

The university’s exhibit features a range of innovations that reflect the diversity and depth of its ongoing research efforts. Among the standout highlights are the Chromite M SoC, a cutting-edge system-on-chip development platform; and a Smart Retrofit Solution for Manual Lathe Automation, which aims to digitally transform traditional manufacturing equipment. Additionally, visitors to the CUTM booth will get an in-depth look at the university’s developments in Digital Manufacturing for Apparel Tracking, IoT-enabled environmental systems like the CUTM Dome and Smart Polyhouse, and High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping Solutions, which use sensors and analytics to optimize agricultural productivity. The university is also presenting its Electric Control Unit (ECU) innovation — a key advancement in embedded systems.

Prof. D.N. Rao, Co-Promoter and Vice President of Centurion University, expressed pride in the institution’s groundbreaking participation at the international forum. “Our participation at DAC 2025 reflects our commitment to cutting-edge research and innovation. It is a proud moment for Indian academia, as we become the first university from the country to showcase our capabilities on such a world-class stage,” he said. His remarks underscore not just the significance of this event for the university but also for India’s growing influence in global technology and engineering education.

Centurion University’s involvement in DAC 2025 is more than just an opportunity to showcase prototypes and research — it is a demonstration of its long-term vision to drive innovation in both education and industry. The university’s educational approach blends academic rigor with real-world skills training, particularly in emerging technology domains. CUTM has made a name for itself with its deep engagement in fields like Chip Design and Manufacturing, Nano-Fabrication, EDA Tools, and VLSI, complemented by cutting-edge programs in Blockchain, Generative AI, Augmented and Virtual Reality, and the Metaverse.

The institution has also built expertise in Industrial IoT, Drones, and Smart City Planning, using BIM (Building Information Modelling) and 3D platform integration. This breadth of technical focus is backed by more than 150 career-aligned skill programs that span over 15 major industry sectors, including AI/ML, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Prompt Engineering, Aerospace, and Automotive Engineering. These programs are designed not just to prepare students for today’s job market but to empower them to thrive in the industries of tomorrow.

Collaborations are central to Centurion University’s approach. With over 50 partnerships with industry leaders and organizations worldwide, the university ensures that its curriculum remains relevant, future-ready, and competitive on a global scale. These collaborations also create fertile ground for joint research, internships, and hands-on exposure to real-world industrial challenges — a feature that has distinguished CUTM as a hub of applied learning and innovation in India.

CUTM’s participation in DAC 2025 is also a springboard for its broader global ambitions. The university aims to establish a strong presence in international academic and innovation ecosystems by taking part in prominent global events in biology, engineering, and the sciences. This aligns with CUTM’s long-term mission of cultivating a world-class research and innovation culture for its students and faculty. Through its international engagements, the university hopes to bring home global best practices, set new benchmarks for research quality, and forge cross-border collaborations that can drive impactful societal change.

By exhibiting at DAC 2025, Centurion University not only amplifies its presence on the world stage but also raises the bar for what Indian higher education institutions can achieve. It sets an inspiring precedent for other universities in the country to move beyond conventional teaching models and embrace a culture of research, innovation, and industry integration.

As visitors engage with CUTM’s interactive booth in San Francisco, they encounter not just technologies but a vision — one where Indian academic institutions are not just knowledge disseminators but originators of global innovation. DAC 2025 is thus not just a showcase for Centurion University’s work in design automation; it is a declaration of intent — that the future of innovation in chips, systems, and beyond will have a vibrant contribution from India’s next generation of technologists and researchers.