A recent statement from Micron Technology’s CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, highlights a significant gap in Indian institutions’ semiconductor design curricula – a lack of focus on manufacturing and process technology. Despite more than 100 Indian institutions offering semiconductor design programs, there is a shortage of education regarding the practical application and development of semiconductor manufacturing.
This issue is concerning, given the global demand for skilled chip engineers, who possess the knowledge and expertise to effectively navigate the manufacturing and process aspects of the semiconductor industry. Micron’s CEO expressed the crucial need for manufacturing engineers and technicians in meeting this demand.
Responding to Mehrotra’s concerns, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan affirmed India’s commitment to providing a comprehensive pool of talent in the field of semiconductors, covering research and development to market implementation. Pradhan acknowledged India’s strengths, including a favorable demographic dividend and high-quality educational institutions, but emphasized the importance of capturing global expectations in the sector.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that 104 universities and institutions in India currently offer courses and programs related to semiconductors, including doctoral studies. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasized the global demand for semiconductor professionals, with an estimated need for 1 million specialists worldwide. India aims to seize this opportunity by enhancing its capabilities in semiconductor education and research.
To further support this endeavor, Vaishnaw proposed the establishment of a center of excellence at IIT Gandhinagar in collaboration with Micron. This center would serve as a knowledge partner and foster research and development activities in the semiconductor domain, facilitating the exploration of innovative ideas.
In addition, Micron announced a partnership with Arcelor Mittal, a leading global steel company, to promote skill development in the semiconductor sector. This collaboration will contribute to bridging the gap between industry requirements and the skill set of the Indian workforce.
Efforts must be made to address the limited emphasis on manufacturing technology in Indian semiconductor curricula. By focusing on this critical aspect, India can harness its potential as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing and meet the growing demand for skilled engineers in the field.
The source of the article is from the blog lanoticiadigital.com.ar