IcfaiTech, Hyderabad, has officially inaugurated its Centre for VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), marking a significant milestone in the institution's commitment to advancing the global semiconductor industry. The grand inauguration ceremony was graced by Ajai Chowdhry, the co-founder of HCL and Chairman of the EPIC Foundation, who was invited as the chief guest. Chowdhry’s address was filled with profound insights, emphasizing the vital role VLSI technology plays in driving breakthroughs in several cutting-edge fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and high-performance computing. He pointed out that these fields are not just essential to modernizing India's digital infrastructure but are pivotal in establishing the country as a global leader in technology innovation. “The future of industries like AI, IoT, and high-performance computing hinges on advances in VLSI technology. Research and innovation in this field will not only revolutionize these sectors but also drive India’s rise as a global technological hub,” Chowdhry remarked during his speech.
In his address, Chowdhry also spoke about India’s pressing need to transition from being a service-oriented economy to becoming a product-driven nation. He applauded governmental initiatives such as “Make in India” for fostering domestic product development, highlighting that innovation in hardware is key to reducing dependency on foreign technology. Chowdhry stressed that India must invest heavily in science and technology and encourage a start-up ecosystem dedicated to hardware and product development. By doing so, the country could significantly enhance its global competitiveness in the tech space. He also acknowledged the challenges brought by automation and artificial intelligence, urging the nation to leverage these technologies to develop new products, particularly in areas like quantum computing, AI chips, and advanced semiconductors. According to him, these technologies could redefine India’s technological landscape, making it a "Product Nation" and positioning it as a global leader in tech innovation.
The VLSI Centre at IcfaiTech is strategically aligned with India’s larger ambitions outlined by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), including initiatives like the ChipIN Centre and C2S, which aim to further enhance India's semiconductor ecosystem. Equipped with some of the most advanced resources in the industry, such as the Synopsys EDA tool, FPGA-based Xilinx boards, and Texas Analog Design Boards, the Centre provides students, researchers, and industry professionals with hands-on experience using industry-standard tools. This practical exposure allows them to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and its real-world applications, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of the fast-evolving semiconductor domain.
Professor KL Narayana, Director of IcfaiTech, outlined the Centre’s multidisciplinary approach to research and innovation. The Centre will not only focus on advancing the field of VLSI design but will also support the broader vision of “Make in India.” Narayana highlighted that by training the next generation of skilled professionals in semiconductor technologies, the Centre would play a crucial role in meeting the country’s growing demand for highly skilled workers in this space. Additionally, he emphasized that the Centre aims to foster an environment of collaboration between academia, industry, and government agencies, thereby facilitating the exchange of ideas and accelerating technological progress in the semiconductor industry.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by an eclectic mix of faculty members, students, industry experts, and thought leaders, all of whom expressed great enthusiasm about the Centre’s potential to make a substantial contribution to India’s semiconductor industry. The launch marks the beginning of a new chapter for IcfaiTech in its journey to nurture academic excellence and drive innovation in India’s technology sector. By fostering a culture of research, development, and industry collaboration, the Centre is poised to be a key player in shaping India’s technological future.
The Centre's overarching vision is to contribute significantly to India’s semiconductor ecosystem and enhance the country's global standing in technology and innovation. As it continues to attract talent, research, and collaboration, the Centre will not only fuel academic curiosity but also help to build the next generation of industry leaders who will drive technological advancements across various sectors, from electronics and communications to AI, IoT, and beyond. With a firm commitment to “Make in India,” the Centre promises to be a catalyst for transforming India into a powerhouse of technological innovation in the semiconductor field.
