Report by Engineering Post
Phase -1 of the National Semiconductor Human Resources Development Progamme was being implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 4844 million. The project aims to establish a fabless chip design ecosystem in Pakistan by developing manpower, opening design centre, fostering start-ups, and conducting indigenous chip design, research and development, positioning the country to benefit from the growing semiconductor industry over the next decade.
The National Semiconductor HR Development Programme Phase-1 was planned to be executed through three components as mentioned below.
First component was Semiconductor Education & Research Clusters (SERCs) which aims to build the capacity of engineering universities across Pakistan for semiconductor education and research at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A total of 2200 students will be trained, nearly 1500 at the undergraduate level and about 700 at the postgraduate level.
The Up skilling Training Program (USTPs) was the second component which aimed at up skilling already graduated engineers in the field of chip design. The component aims to broaden the talent pool through an inclusive but competitive process of launching training programmes across the country. Two months foundation training will be imparted to 6000 professionals 3 to 6 months, 3 to 6 month Specialized Tracks training will be imparted to 3000 professionals and 3 to 6 months Expert Training will be imparted to 1200 professionals under first, second and third levels respectively.
Centralized Electronic Design Automation Tools was the third component. Development of Electronic Design Automation software tools used in the semiconductor industry for designing and analysing electronic systems. Electronic Design Automation tools procured under the programme will be hosted at a central location.
