As global demand for advanced chips rises and supply chain risks remain a concern, the United States and India are strengthening collaboration in semiconductor research, manufacturing, and workforce development. In this context, Purdue University and the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad have launched the US–India Center of Excellence in Semiconductors.
The initiative is designed to bring together research, talent development, and industry engagement, aligning with the broader semiconductor priorities of both countries. It builds on the complementary strengths of the two nations, with the United States contributing leadership in advanced semiconductor research and innovation, and India offering scale, talent, and growing ambitions in manufacturing.
Professor Vijay Raghunathan, vice president at Purdue University and the university’s ambassador to India, emphasised this balance. He noted that the collaboration creates opportunities for US institutions to expand research and workforce initiatives, while helping India deepen its role beyond chip design into manufacturing and advanced packaging.
The centre reflects a long-term shift in how semiconductor leadership is defined. According to Raghunathan, success increasingly depends not only on transistor scaling but also on the integration of systems, including design, materials, packaging, and system-level manufacturing. This evolution makes cross-border and cross-institution collaboration more critical than ever.
From India’s perspective, the initiative also focuses strongly on talent development. Professor B. S. Murty, director of IIT Hyderabad, described the centre as a comprehensive platform for building skills and fostering collaboration between academia and industry in both countries. He highlighted that India accounts for nearly 20% of the global semiconductor design workforce, while the United States continues to lead in advanced technologies, making the partnership mutually beneficial.
The centre operates as a consortium that connects universities, industry players, and government stakeholders. IIT Hyderabad has already developed specialised academic programmes covering chip design, manufacturing, packaging, and materials, aimed at preparing engineers for roles across the semiconductor value chain.
Before the establishment of the centre, the two institutions collaborated under the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration initiative of India’s Ministry of Education. This programme included a three-phase training model, beginning with a foundational workshop, followed by hands-on training at IIT Hyderabad, and concluding with advanced sessions at Purdue’s Birck Nanotechnology Centre. Across two iterations, 39 students completed the programme, with many entering the semiconductor industry and others pursuing higher education.
Both institutions view this earlier collaboration as a foundation for scaling up efforts through the new centre, particularly by integrating workforce development more closely with research and industry requirements.
In addition to technical training, Purdue has expanded its semiconductor education initiatives to include policy-related areas such as export controls, intellectual property protection, and responsible technology use. These courses, supported by a grant from the US Department of State, aim to equip engineers and industry leaders with the knowledge needed to operate in a global regulatory environment.
Industry participation is also central to the centre’s strategy. Major semiconductor and design automation companies, including Intel, Qualcomm, NVIDIA, AMD, and Synopsys, have research and development operations in India, many located in Hyderabad. The centre aims to work closely with these companies to align research priorities, workforce training, and pathways for translating innovation into practical applications.
Raghunathan also noted that Purdue’s engagement with the India Semiconductor Mission naturally extends through this collaboration. He added that such structured partnerships can help sustain long-term cooperation and strengthen the broader US-India semiconductor ecosystem.
Originally published in SPAN magazine and adapted to our editorial style.
