New Delhi: Vertiv India has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi to launch the Undergraduate Research Avenue (UGRA), a new initiative designed to strengthen research, innovation and practical semiconductor training for undergraduate engineering students. The collaboration aims to equip future engineers with industry-relevant skills as India accelerates efforts to build a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem.
The programme will be led by the Department of Electronics Engineering at IIT BHU and is expected to commence from the upcoming academic year.
Partnership Aims to Strengthen India’s Semiconductor Talent Pipeline
The collaboration comes at a crucial time for India’s semiconductor industry, which is witnessing significant investments in chip manufacturing, electronics production and advanced technology infrastructure.
As the country works to reduce dependence on imported semiconductors and establish a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem, developing a highly skilled workforce has become a national priority.
Through the UGRA programme, Vertiv India and IIT BHU aim to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world semiconductor product development by providing students with hands-on research opportunities and advanced laboratory infrastructure.
UGRA Programme to Offer End-to-End Semiconductor Design Experience
The Undergraduate Research Avenue (UGRA) has been designed to introduce students to the complete semiconductor development process.
Participants will gain exposure to various stages of chip development, including:
- Semiconductor chip design
- Design verification
- Hardware prototyping
- Tape-out preparation
- Silicon testing
- Product validation
The programme seeks to provide undergraduate students with practical knowledge that complements traditional engineering education while preparing them for careers in semiconductor research, design and manufacturing.
Advanced Hardware Innovation Lab to Enable Practical Learning
As part of the partnership, Vertiv India will support the establishment of an Advanced Hardware Innovation Lab within the Department of Electronics Engineering at IIT BHU.
The facility will feature advanced evaluation boards and hardware platforms that allow students to move beyond software simulations and engage in real-world semiconductor hardware development.
The laboratory will support:
- Hardware prototyping
- Design validation
- Electronics testing
- Semiconductor product development
- Research-based innovation
By providing access to industry-grade infrastructure, the initiative aims to enhance students’ practical engineering capabilities.
Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry
According to Vertiv India, access to modern engineering infrastructure is essential for preparing graduates to meet the evolving needs of the semiconductor industry.
The company believes that experiential learning environments help students better understand real-world engineering challenges while improving their readiness for careers in semiconductor design, manufacturing and advanced electronics.
The collaboration reflects a growing trend of partnerships between industry and academic institutions focused on creating a future-ready technology workforce.
Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
IIT BHU said the UGRA programme forms part of its broader strategy to promote undergraduate research, technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
The institute expects the initiative to encourage students to explore emerging technologies while developing research capabilities at an early stage of their academic journey.
The programme is also expected to inspire innovation-led startups and technology ventures within India’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem.
Strengthening India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem
India has been actively promoting domestic semiconductor manufacturing through various policy initiatives and strategic investments aimed at building a resilient electronics supply chain.
However, alongside manufacturing infrastructure, industry experts have consistently highlighted the need for a skilled talent pool capable of supporting chip design, verification, testing and product engineering.
Collaborations such as the Vertiv-IIT BHU initiative are expected to play an important role in developing the next generation of semiconductor engineers required to support India’s long-term technology ambitions.
Industry-Academia Collaboration Gains Momentum
The partnership also highlights the increasing collaboration between technology companies and higher education institutions to address workforce requirements in emerging sectors.
For Vertiv India, supporting engineering education aligns with its broader commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure, technology innovation and engineering capabilities.
By combining academic research with industry-backed infrastructure, the company aims to help create a stronger talent pipeline capable of contributing to India’s semiconductor growth story.
Outlook
The launch of the Undergraduate Research Avenue (UGRA) marks another step towards building India’s semiconductor capabilities through industry-academia collaboration.
With practical exposure to chip design, prototyping and semiconductor testing, students at IIT BHU will gain valuable skills that are increasingly in demand across the global electronics industry.
As India continues expanding its semiconductor ecosystem, initiatives like UGRA are expected to play a vital role in nurturing research, innovation and future-ready engineering talent capable of supporting the country’s ambitions in advanced technology and electronics manufacturing.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape. She has written extensively on fintech, AI and emerging startups.