Lucknow: In a significant step toward strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University has entered into a strategic partnership with Siemens to train engineering students in cutting-edge VLSI and semiconductor technologies.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday at Janbhavan in the presence of Anandiben Patel, Keshav Prasad Maurya, Satish Mahana, and AKTU Vice-Chancellor J.P. Pandey. The agreement was formally exchanged between Finance Officer Keshav Singh and Siemens Vice President and Country Manager Ruchir Dixit.
Under this collaboration, AKTU and Siemens will establish a Centre of Excellence focusing on advanced domains such as Electronic Design Automation (EDA), verification, and simulation. The initiative aims to enhance academic curricula, promote startups, support faculty development, and boost collaborative research—bridging the gap between academia and industry.
The partnership will provide students and faculty with access to state-of-the-art tools, research opportunities, and specialized training aligned with the evolving needs of the semiconductor sector. Around 300 AKTU-affiliated institutions will benefit from Siemens’ software ecosystem, fostering innovation and strengthening academic programs.
The Centre of Excellence will be equipped with seven advanced software suites covering areas such as design verification, IC nanometer design, PCB design, formal verification, PCB validation, place-and-route platforms, and 3D IC design.
Through this initiative, BTech and MTech students will gain hands-on expertise in VLSI design, circuit simulation, and PCB development, enabling them to work on real-world projects and enhance their technical proficiency. Siemens will also offer research internships and improved employment opportunities, particularly benefiting postgraduate students engaged in advanced research areas like low-power chip design.
Additionally, Siemens will train nearly 300 faculty members from disciplines including electronics, electrical engineering, instrumentation, and mechatronics as master trainers. These trained educators will further disseminate knowledge to around 500 faculty members and approximately 2,000 students across affiliated institutions. Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) and workshops will also be conducted under the agreement.
Senior officials, including Principal Secretary (Technical Education) Dr. M.K.S. Sundaram, Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajeev Kumar, Registrar Reena Singh, and deans and directors from engineering colleges, were present at the signing ceremony.
The AKTU–Siemens collaboration is expected to accelerate innovation and prepare a future-ready workforce for the rapidly expanding VLSI and semiconductor industry.
