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Pune, Sept. 24 The University of Pune and Intel India have announced a joint initiative to create specialised workforce for the semiconductor industry on VLSI layout design.

Under this agreement, Intel would collaborate with the university to develop an industry-specific curriculum to take students through key areas such as analog design, digital design and overall implementation process in VLSI technology.

The University of Pune-Intel Higher education programme targetsM.Sc students to bring industry-specific knowledge to the classroom, giving students exposure to emerging technologies in semiconductor development and design. Co-developed by the Electronics Science Department of the Pune University and Intel, the programme would offer a complete coursework on VLSI layout technology and develop training faculties to deliver such courses.

Intel would also be training students to demonstrate the efficacy of the programme. The programme, though primarily aimed at post-graduates, will also include a course for under-graduates and prepare them perform tasks pertaining to custom layout in IC design. The selected group of students will participate in research projects, scientific seminars and get an opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies. The pilot programme was introduced last year.

Talking to presspersons, Dr Narendra Jadhav, Vice-Chancellor, Pune University, and Mr Manav Subodh, Head (South & West India), Corporate Affairs, Intel India, said it is estimated that India’s VLSI design industry will employ around 7,80,000 people by 2015. But the challenge was how to bridge the supply-and-demand gap for competent professionals, he added.

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