Indian universities to host VLSI design labs

STMicroelectronics is setting up joint state-of-the-art research and innovation labs at two premier Indian technology institutes.

STMicroelectronics is setting up joint state-of-the-art research and innovation labs at two premier Indian technology institutes, BITS Pilani and IIT Delhi.

The partnership agreements aim to combine the best of ST's leading-edge electronic skills and capabilities with the educational and research talents of the two institutes.

Both labs are expected to be operational by Q2 2007.

The main objective of these partnerships is to facilitate proliferation of VLSI design and embedded systems knowledge among students by undertaking research projects with the involvement of faculty, students and ST representatives.

The areas of initial research focus include - but are not limited to - analogue and mixed-signal design in the area of VLSI, image and speech pattern recognition, sensory organ modelling and digital data protection in algorithm research, along with generic IP (intellectual property) blocks for embedded solutions.

STMicroelectronics will equip the new labs with the necessary hardware, software tools, reference boards and technology parameters needed for successful execution of projects in the identified areas.

The institutes will provide the necessary space on the campus and assign a faculty member to participate in the partnership activities.

Students and researchers will work on research projects jointly defined by ST and the institute.

ST has a long history in working closely with leading educational and research establishments around the world, partnering with top universities on long-term programs to nurture young engineering talent.

Underscoring the mutual benefit of such partnerships, Vivek Sharma, Vice President of ST's Emerging Market Region and Director ST India Design Centre, said: "Since its modest beginnings two decades ago, ST India has grown to become a major contributor to ST's worldwide success".

"Today, as much as 15% of the company's R and D in VLSI design and software is carried out in India".

"We are very excited at this opportunity to tap into the universities' research strengths and rich talent pool to expand our R and D activities".

"By bringing the industry experience and knowledge closer to the academic world, we are confident these partnerships will foster meaningful research and thus help the overall ecosystem of learning institutions in general and high-tech education in particular".

Speaking about the strategic partnership, Surendra Prasad, Director IIT-Delhi, said: "We are pleased with the possibility to work with ST, a world leader in system solutions".

"With the rapid expansion of the Indian economy, there is a compelling need for academia and industry to work together with much greater intensity".

"This collaboration should help increase professional capability of our students, giving them an opportunity to work in some of the most advanced and challenging technological areas".

LK Maheshwari, Vice-Chancellor and Director, BITS, Pilani, added: "We are excited by this unique opportunity to enlarge our co-operation with ST.

BITS and ST have been collaborating for almost a decade, whereby students of BITS carry out their internship (practice school) projects of six months' duration at ST labs in Noida and Bangalore".

"The present initiative will further prepare our students to take up research projects during their stay at BITS and I believe that with the guidance from ST and BITS' faculty, the participating students will be able to broaden their horizons, as well as generate innovative solutions that can benefit the industry at large".

The Memoranda of Understanding between ST and the two universities were signed in Mumbai on 14th February 2007, in the presence of Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath.

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