Lam Research has announced an expansion of its Semiverse Solutions virtual training infrastructure to 20 universities across India, aiming to enhance the skills of thousands of semiconductor engineers. The initiative is set to train 60,000 engineers over the next decade.
This year alone, 2,600 students will benefit from the program, with plans for further growth in the future. “We received applications from 75 universities, but this is just the beginning. As we expand, we hope to increase participation and further support India’s semiconductor industry,” said Rangesh Raghavan, Corporate Vice-President and General Manager of Lam Research India, at the Semicon India event on Wednesday.
The selection of participating universities includes both private and public institutions, chosen based on NIRF rankings, the presence of semiconductor courses, and student reach. A focus on regional distribution ensures comprehensive national coverage. “We aim to maximize participation by strategically selecting universities, ensuring broad access to advanced semiconductor training across India,” Raghavan explained.
The need for this virtual training arises from the limitations of physical labs in India, which are insufficient to meet industry demands. “There are very few labs capable of training semiconductor engineers, making it impractical. The virtual platform allows students to experience advanced semiconductor processes through simulations, significantly reducing the costs associated with physical labs,” Raghavan added.
Following a successful pilot at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Lam Research has signed a tripartite agreement with the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and IISc to broaden the program. Lam Research will provide $29 million in software licenses for the virtual training suite, while ISM will cover infrastructure costs at some universities, and IISc will implement a “train-the-trainer” model to educate faculty at the participating institutions.
David Fried, Corporate Vice-President of Semiverse Solutions at Lam Research, highlighted the impact of virtualisation. “We’re using the same platforms that address complex challenges in the semiconductor industry and adapting them for education. This enables students to experiment with advanced semiconductor tools virtually, providing hands-on experience without the need for physical labs,” Fried said.
