Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar along with MOSart Labs has recently launched a professional diploma programme in semiconductor technology and chip design recently. The programme is specifically designed for engineering graduates in electronics and communication as well as in electrical engineering and computer science. This course will also suit the professionals working in the semiconductor sector who want to upskill.

This program will train students to be industry-ready in VLSI technology, including many specializations in semiconductor technology, analog design, digital design, design verification, physical design, layout design, validation, and so many more. VLSI is a process that integrates millions or even billions of transistors onto a single chip and is the core of modern electronic devices; therefore, expertise in this field is so overwhelmingly coveted.

An official Memorandum of Understanding was signed between IIT Bhubaneswar and MOSart Labs in a ceremony held on Tuesday at the institute to launch the diploma programme. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar said that the association would bridge academic excellence with industry needs.

“This collaboration with MOSart Labs epitomizes our commitment to truly impactful education that will equip our students for this fast-evolving technology landscape. The aim is to ensure that they can make meaningful contributions-both in India and globally,” added Karmalkar.

A three-module-long course starts with a launchpad introductory module, so that students get a holistic overview of the Integrated Circuit (IC) lifecycle and the VLSI industry landscape. Subsequently there is an entrance examination. Candidates found qualified afterwards will progress to the Foundation module. The core subjects in the Foundation module consist of five, always followed within a semester: the essentials in semiconductor technology and chip design.

The final ‘Specialisation’ module, taking yet another semester will allow the student to take a much greater interest in just one area of VLSI technology. In this phase, there are three specialist courses and a mini-project which gives permission to the students to develop skills tailored at the industrial level and even gain practical experience.

This program is a significant milestone toward making the output of education in India responsive to the needs of the semiconductor industry. As the Government continues efforts to better the country’s capabilities in semiconductors, the program is likely to attract many opportunities for VLSI engineers in India and internationally.

This collaboration would bring industry leaders, faculty, and alumni to our institute to teach, thereby imparting the best of training in semiconductor technology to students,” said programme coordinator Vijay Shankar Pasupureddi.

Krishna Kanth Avalur of MOSart Labs saw the course’s timing as relevant. “There seems to be consensus between the government and industry on building the semiconductor ecosystem, which indeed is generating multiple opportunities for the VLSI professional.”.

This degree program, therefore, is the collaboration between IIT Bhubaneswar and MOSart Labs to equip the future generations with cutting-edge capabilities, enabling them to thrive in the rapidly advancing semiconductor industry.