November 2025

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CREST, BITS Pilani, marking a key milestone in advancing India’s semiconductor workforce development. 

This collaboration aims to bridge the industry-academia gap by promoting skill-based education, research-driven training, and capacity building in semiconductor technologies. Through this partnership, CREST and NSDC will work together to design structured training modules, enhance industry exposure, and create new opportunities for students, researchers, and professionals. 

This MoU lays the foundation for impactful national initiatives that will strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem and foster innovation-driven growth.

• BITS Pilani is named as one of 10 national focal points under India Digital Semiconductor Programme for Schools (IDSPS), specializing in Package Design: Mechanical. 

• Driving semiconductor education, outreach, and skill development through curriculum, hands-on modules, and student programs

• Strengthening India's semiconductor ecosystem via CREST initiatives, aligning with national missions.

A One-Day Semiconductor Education, Research & Industry Conclave was conducted on 3rd November 2025 at the K.K. Birla Goa Campus of BITS Pilani, bringing together students, researchers, faculty, and industry professionals to explore developments in semiconductor technologies. The event featured academic presentations, interactive sessions, and industry talks from leading experts, fostering meaningful discussions and collaborative engagement across the ecosystem.

The morning academic colloquia showcased dynamic presentations by BITS faculty and research scholars, highlighting cutting-edge work on a-IGZO biosensor technology and ML-based modelling of Gallium Oxide JBSDs, exemplifying the spirit of innovation fostered through CREST’s unique PhD Drive - a program dedicated to transforming research into real-world, product-based solutions.

The afternoon industry interaction session featured insightful talks by experts from leading semiconductor companies, including Lam Research’s Raaghesh Vijayan and Samsung Semiconductor’s Abhishek Ghosh, who shared valuable perspectives on innovation, process technologies, and sustainable advancements in the semiconductor domain. 

CREST is grateful to the faculty, students, and campus leadership for their support in making the event a success. 

The November 2025 edition of the CREST Monthly Colloquium Series was hosted with an insightful keynote talk by Prof. Wenzhuo Wu from the Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, USA. 

The talk, titled “Biomass-Based Skin-Integrated Triboelectric Sensors,” provided valuable insights into sustainable materials and sensor technologies. The session saw active participation from students, researchers, and industry professionals. Attendees engaged with the speaker’s research and explored his academic contributions through the shared profile. 

The colloquium further reinforced CREST’s commitment to research-driven dialogue and global collaboration in emerging semiconductor technologies, making it an enriching and impactful session for all participants. 

As part of the ICAN 9.0 outreach program, we had the pleasure of hosting students and faculty members from reputed engineering college across Hyderabad for an insightful One-Day Session at the BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus. The visit featured guided tours of the MEMS, Microfluidics and Nanoelectronics (MMNE) Lab, the Nanofabrication and Semiconductor Device Laboratory (NSDL), and the Clean Room facilities, showcasing advanced infrastructure and research capabilities in the semiconductor domain.

Participants gained hands-on exposure to fundamental semiconductor fabrication processes and tools, including RF-sputtering, e-beam deposition, spin coating, and optical lithography. The session was designed to connect classroom learning with practical applications, giving students a clearer understanding of current industry trends and emerging opportunities in nanotechnology, microelectronics, and semiconductor engineering. The program successfully fostered curiosity, technical awareness, and academic-industry connect among the participants.

Participation in ATMOS 2025, the annual techno-management festival organized by Alchemy, The Chemistry Association—highlighted the spirit of collaboration across disciplines and the importance of innovation in education and research. 

Hosted at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, the event provided a platform to exchange ideas, explore emerging technologies, and encourage student involvement in research-led initiatives. Through meaningful interactions and engagements, CREST contributed to fostering a culture that blends science, creativity, and technology. 

This participation reinforced the value of interdisciplinary learning and paved the way for future collaborations, inspiring young minds to explore transformative ideas in semiconductor technologies and beyond. 

The Silicon Spark 2025 event was held at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus and witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 120 students. The event served as a dynamic platform for student innovation, featuring impressive projects in semiconductors, VLSI, and MEMS. Participants showcased creativity, technical excellence, and practical problem-solving skills, reflecting the growing momentum of India’s semiconductor ecosystem. 

With strong support from faculty and active engagement from students, the initiative promoted research-driven learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Winners from the MMNE and VLSI courses were recognized for their remarkable contributions. The event not only celebrated student achievements but also reinforced the vision of nurturing the next generation of leaders in semiconductor technologies.