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.”
As India makes significant strides in semiconductor manufacturing and VLSI innovation, the K-VLSI programme is playing a crucial role in shaping a skilled, future-ready talent pool—one that will drive the nation’s ambitions in the global semiconductor industry.
