Synopsys and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) Hyderabad establish microelectronics program

HYDERABAD, INDIA: Synopsys Inc. and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) Hyderabad have signed a long-term cooperation agreement establishing a Microelectronics program in VLSI Engineering at JNTU Hyderabad.

The program is aimed at training local talent and providing highly skilled specialists that can address the complex design requirements of semiconductor industry companies. Training skilled specialists in electronics is a key factor in the competiveness of India’s high-tech economy.

The plan is for the newly established Bachelors and Masters Programs in JNTU Hyderabad to provide skill development opportunities to more than 300,000 students every year. JNTU Hyderabad is the largest nodal university in India, with more than 300 affiliated colleges. The program is designed to educate students in integrated circuit design and automation based on tools and customized curriculum offered through the Synopsys University Program.

Using a proven educational model of industry-academia cooperation, the program is expected to provide India’s workforce with graduates who have the knowledge and skills required to be quickly productive in the industry, and who can help lead India into the next stage of technology development.

Under the program, Synopsys plans to donate to JNTU Hyderabad a state-of-the-art educational environment that gives university students access to:

* Synopsys’ comprehensive, industry-leading analog, digital and embedded electronic design automation (EDA) software, including Educational Design Kit (EDK) and interoperable Process Design Kit (iPDK);
* Customized curricula developed by the Synopsys Armenia Education Department as part of the Synopsys Worldwide University Program; and
* Guidance in implementing the Bachelors and Masters programs.

Synopsys also plans to support the program by offering experienced Synopsys or Synopsys-trained personnel skilled in conducting electronic design automation training and development.

“The huge promise that India holds for the growth of the high tech electronics systems industry depends to a large extent on the availability of qualified, industry-ready, VLSI trained engineers,” said Dr. Pradip Dutta, corporate VP and MD, Synopsys India. “This industry-academia collaboration with JNTU Hyderabad will provide a great opportunity to bring skilled resources to the industry from the one of the largest engineering student communities in India.”

“The Synopsys University Program provides unique value in microelectronics education,” said Rich Goldman, vice president of Corporate Marketing and Strategic Alliances at Synopsys. “This collaboration between industry and university has enabled a program that develops graduates who are ready to be productive in the workforce and who know they have received a world-class education that is current with the fast-moving semiconductor industry. I look forward to extending this program in India in cooperation with JNTU Hyderabad.”

“JNTU Hyderabad is pleased to receive this unique honour,” said Vice-Chancellor Prof. D. Narasimha Reddy at JNTU Hyderabad. “We thank Synopsys for this generous donation and Seer Akademi for advocating our cause. JNTU Hyderabad’s collaboration with Synopsys and Seer Akademi will result in a new generation of highly skilled industry ready graduates and professors.”

“The shortage of skilled engineers in the Indian semiconductor industry can be addressed effectively and efficiently only by a close collaboration among universities and industry,” said Anil Gupta, CEO of Metalogic Circuits, and a member of the Board of Studies at JNTU. “As an alumnus of JNTU, I am very proud to see Synopsys selecting my alma mater for this important initiative.”

Gupta has first-hand knowledge of the difficulties associated with hiring skilled engineers. He was managing director of Infineon India and ARM India, before he launched his own enterprise.

JNTU Hyderabad will use the instructional services from Seer Akademi, a curriculum partner and member of the Synopsys University Program, to effectively administer the Synopsys curriculum and to ensure effective use.

“The collaboration among Synopsys, Seer Akademi and JNTU Hyderabad has resulted in a pioneering program that can be the reference model for all technical education in India and in other developing knowledge-based economies,” said Srikanth Jadcherla, chairman and CEO of Seer Akademi. “We congratulate and thank Synopsys for its generous donation to help thousands of Indian students acquire industry-ready skills.”