IIIT-Bangalore Inaugurates K-VLSI PG Diploma Cohort-2, Building India’s Semiconductor Future
Bangalore, March 12, 2025: IIIT-Bangalore proudly inaugurated the K-VLSI PG Diploma Cohort-2, welcoming 144 exceptional students from 60+ engineering colleges.
The programme attracted 3,000+ applicants from across 40+ towns, with only 144 top candidates selected through a rigorous screening process, including written examinations and interviews. This one-of-a-kind programme allows students to pursue a PG Diploma alongside their 8th-semester engineering graduation, ensuring they enter the industry, workforce-ready.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Mr. B V Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM); Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore; Prof. Chandrashekar Ramanathan, Dean (Academics), IIIT-B; and Prof. Madhav Rao, Associate Professor & HoD, ECE Department, IIIT-B. The speakers highlighted the programme’s pivotal role in nurturing next-generation semiconductor professionals and strengthening India’s VLSI and semiconductor ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. B V Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), stated:
“The launch of KVLSI Cohort-2 at IIIT-Bangalore marks another milestone in Karnataka’s journey to becoming a global hub for semiconductor and VLSI innovation. Through strong industry-academia collaboration, this initiative empowers young engineers with advanced technical knowledge and hands-on expertise, ensuring they are well-equipped for the sector’s evolving demands. At KDEM, we remain committed to strengthening Karnataka’s digital and semiconductor ecosystem, fostering innovation, investment, and world-class talent development.”
The K-VLSI PG Diploma is spearheaded by IIIT-Bangalore’s MINRO Center in collaboration with KDEM, India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), Semiconductor Fabless Accelerator Lab (SFAL), and the IT-BT Department, Government of Karnataka. This strategic industry-academia partnership ensures that students receive cutting-edge training, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world industry demands.
Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore, emphasized: “Following the success of KVLSI Cohort-1 in developing industry-ready semiconductor talent, Cohort-2 is poised to set an even higher benchmark. This initiative, supported by the Government of Karnataka, IT-BT Department, and KDEM, and conducted in collaboration with industry partner FutureWiz, offers a unique, hands-on learning experience. By integrating industry-driven training and expert mentorship, the program is shaping young professionals of the state of Karnataka to excel in the rapidly evolving semiconductor sector.”
