Semicon 2.0 is a talent mission: Why universities hold the key to India’s semiconductor future

The Government of India’s approval of Semicon 2.0 is an important step towards strengthening the country’s position in the global semiconductor industry. While much of the conversation has centred around fabrication units, investments, and manufacturing capacity, there is another equally important aspect that deserves attention—the availability of skilled engineering talent. Infrastructure can be created with investment, but developing a workforce capable of driving innovation takes years of focussed effort. That responsibility rests largely with India’s higher education institutions.

The semiconductor sector is unlike many traditional industries. It brings together electronics, mechanical engineering, materials science, embedded systems, automation, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. As these disciplines increasingly intersect, engineering education must also evolve. Preparing students for this ecosystem requires more than teaching individual subjects in isolation. It calls for an integrated approach that reflects how technology is developed and deployed in the real world.

From Classroom Learning to Industry Readiness

This shift also requires a change in the way engineering is taught. Classroom instruction must be complemented with hands-on learning, design thinking and problem-solving. Students should have opportunities to work on projects, build prototypes, analyse industrial challenges and gain practical exposure to emerging technologies. Such experiences not only strengthen technical understanding but also develop confidence, creativity and the ability to work across disciplines.

Modern laboratories play a critical role in this transformation. Access to embedded computing platforms, industrial automation systems, robotics, FPGA development kits, machine vision technologies, IoT tools, and semiconductor design software allow students to translate theory into practice. These facilities are no longer an added advantage; they are becoming an essential part of engineering education if institutions are to prepare graduates for rapidly evolving industries.

Building Stronger Industry-academia Partnerships

Equally important is a stronger partnership between academia and industry. Universities provide the academic foundation, while industry offers exposure to current technologies, manufacturing practices and real-world challenges. Bringing the two together through internships, live projects, Centres of Excellence, sponsored laboratories, faculty immersion programmes, and collaborative research ensures that students graduate with skills that match industry expectations. These partnerships also help institutions keep their curriculum relevant in a sector that continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

Faculty development must remain a priority alongside student learning. Engineering educators need regular opportunities to engage with industry, participate in research collaborations and update their technical knowledge. As technology advances, continuous learning becomes essential not only for students but also for those who teach them. Well-informed faculty members are better equipped to guide students towards innovation and industry readiness.

Creating a Culture of Research and Innovation

The semiconductor mission also presents an opportunity to strengthen India’s research and innovation ecosystem. Universities should encourage students to pursue research, develop indigenous technologies, file patents and explore entrepreneurship in areas such as chip design, embedded intelligence, smart manufacturing and automation. Engineering institutions must aspire to be centres of innovation that contribute to technological progress, rather than limiting themselves to producing graduates.

Preparing Engineers for the Future

The expectations from engineering graduates are also changing. Employers today look beyond academic scores. They value practical skills, industry exposure, the ability to solve complex problems, collaborative working, research aptitude, and a willingness to learn continuously. These qualities will increasingly determine employability in technology-driven sectors such as semiconductors.

Semicon 2.0 offers India an opportunity that extends well beyond manufacturing. It provides a chance to strengthen engineering education, build a future-ready workforce, and position the country as a global technology leader. Achieving that vision will require sustained collaboration between universities, industry, government and research institutions. If engineering colleges embrace this transformation through updated curricula, stronger industry engagement and greater emphasis on experiential learning, they will play a defining role in shaping India's semiconductor future.

(The author is Director, KCG College of Technology. Views are personal.)