MoUs between Indian and Taiwanese academic institutions encompass skill development, student exchange programs, and collaborative research and development efforts. In a significant move towards strengthening India's role in the upgradation of semiconductor industry, the Ministry of Education has initiated important steps to promote talent development in this domain. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), under the Ministry of Education's purview, has embarked on a mission to enhance India's semiconductor capabilities.
A high-level delegation led by AICTE Chairman TG Sitharam recently visited Taiwan. During this visit, academic experts and vice-chancellors met with representatives from several Taiwanese universities, paving the way for a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Indian and Taiwanese academic institutions. These Memorandums of Understanding cover skill development, student exchange programs, and collaborative research and development.
This initiative is based on the recognition that semiconductors are essential to virtually every aspect of the electronics industry and are on track to become a trillion-dollar industry by 2030. India aspires to be a key player in semiconductor manufacturing, which necessitates the development of a skilled workforce. The synergy between academia, industry, and government is a standout feature of this collaboration. Training centers are institutions that are solely dedicated to skill development. With the help of industry and government, these institutions have been able to obtain industry certification. The long-term goal is to replicate these training facilities in India, ensuring that the workforce has the necessary skills. Collaboration with Taiwan will enhance these efforts by facilitating knowledge exchange.
Sitharam emphasized the importance of adopting Taiwan's best practices to improve practical knowledge in the semiconductor field, with a particular emphasis on establishing similar training facilities in India. AICTE is committed to collaborating closely with universities in Taiwan and India to see these initiatives through to completion. Currently, 128 colleges have adopted the AICTE model curriculum, with approximately 8,000 skilled individuals expected to join the semiconductor industry through these programs in the coming years. The AICTE's commitment to increasing these numbers underscores its mission to meet the growing demands of the semiconductor industry while also developing indigenous capabilities in this critical sector.
