The graduation ceremony was graced by Dr Manjula N. IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, as the Chief Guest. Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore, was also part of the ceremony, representing the institute’s role in conducting the programme through COE MINRO.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Manjula N. IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka said, “Building India’s semiconductor capabilities ultimately begins with people who have the knowledge, technical competence and ability to work with the technologies that will shape our future. K-VLSI represents a meaningful effort towards building a strong semiconductor talent pool in Karnataka by bringing together government, academia and industry. As the sector continues to evolve, continuous learning and adaptability will be essential for professionals entering this field. I congratulate the students on completing the programme and wish them success as they take the next step in their professional journeys.”

Launched in April 2024, the K-VLSI Post Graduate Diploma Programme was established to strengthen Karnataka’s semiconductor talent ecosystem and address the gap between academic education and the practical, industry-oriented skills required by the VLSI and chip-design industry. The programme combines structured coursework with hands-on laboratory training, design and verification projects, mentorship from semiconductor professionals and placement support.

The programme has expanded since its first cohort of 70 students. The third cohort comprised 151 students, reflecting the growing demand for specialised training in VLSI and semiconductor technologies. Students joined the programme from different parts of Karnataka, giving the initiative a broad geographic reach across the state.

The programme’s focus on industry-relevant training has also translated into employment opportunities for its graduates. The first cohort recorded close to 100% placement, while the second cohort had achieved around 90% placement as of date. Graduates from both cohorts have subsequently gained professional experience and moved to new roles with higher compensation packages, indicating continued career progression after completing the programme.

K-VLSI graduates have secured opportunities across a range of organisations in the electronics, semiconductor, technology and engineering sectors, including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), IBM, Siemens, Samsung, Hinduja Global Solutions, Bosch, Tata Electronics, Foxconn, NXP Semiconductors and Blueberry Semiconductors.

The programme equips engineering graduates with skills relevant to areas such as RTL design, verification, embedded systems and semiconductor design, while providing exposure to practical projects and industry expectations. Its curriculum and training approach are aimed at enabling learners to transition from academic learning to professional roles in the semiconductor ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore, said, “Building a strong semiconductor talent pool requires programmes that combine academic foundations with practical, industry-oriented learning. The K-VLSI Post Graduate Diploma Programme, conducted by the Centre of Excellence-Machine Intelligence and Robotics (COE MINRO) at IIIT-Bangalore, provides engineering graduates with an opportunity to develop skills aligned with the requirements of the VLSI and semiconductor industry. The placement outcomes of the first two cohorts, along with the career progression of our alumni, demonstrate the value of this industry-focused approach. As Karnataka continues to strengthen its semiconductor ecosystem, programmes such as K-VLSI can play an important role in preparing skilled professionals for emerging opportunities in the sector.”

With the successful completion of its third cohort, the K-VLSI Post Graduate Diploma Programme continues to contribute to the development of industry-ready talent and create pathways for engineering graduates to build careers in Karnataka’s growing VLSI and semiconductor ecosystem.