IIT, Bombay launches certificate programme

The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) and Applied Materials, Inc. have announced the launch of India's first certification course in semiconductor technology and manufacturing. The course will address a critical need for developing a trained, high-tech workforce in India to help meet the country's growing demand for electronic devices.

The seven-day course will start from November 19 to 25 and will be offered twice a year. Course modules will include semiconductor technology, including very large-scale integration (VLSI), a semiconductor equipment overview and lab equipment user training.

According to Ajay Kumar, joint secretary, department of electronics and information technology, government of India, the programme synergises with the efforts of department of electronics and IT, to promote electronics system design and manufacturing.

"IIT Bombay has strong research, development and education initiatives in the area of semiconductor technology to support semiconductor manufacturing in India. Training a specialised workforce for such an industry is a priority. The semiconductor technology and manufacturing certification course is a fine example of industry and academia working together to help build a strong talent pool for the high-tech industry," says Devang Khakhar, director, IIT Bombay.

A 2011 study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India and Frost & Sullivan on the electronics industry in India sheds light on the country's dire need for trained professionals in the industry.

The study estimated that Indian electronics consumption will grow to USD 400 billion by 2020 and if the industry's manufacturing rate does not improve, it would be able to produce only 20% of the projected requirement. The study indicated that it is critical to develop a skilled workforce to meet the high demand for manufacturing electronic devices.

Talking about the course, Omkaram Nalamasu, chief technology officer, Applied Materials, says, "The semiconductor technology and manufacturing certification course will provide an understanding of semiconductor technologies, processes and the basic concepts of microelectronics manufacturing, combined with hands-on training on some of the semiconductor industry's most widely-used process equipment from Applied Materials."

Faculty members from IIT-B and experts from Applied Materials will participate in training students. Upon successful completion of the course, a Continued Education Programme (CEP) certificate will be awarded by IIT-B.

The last date to apply for this course is October 19. For more details, visit www.iitb.ac.in/~cep/

IIT Bombay starts training 10,000 teachers

The training programme for 10,000 teachers was inaugurated on Monday by human resource development minister Kapil Sibal at the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay.

Under the 'Talk to a Teacher' project of the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology ( NME-ICT) of his ministry, training for 10,000 engineering college teachers from across the country is conducted by leveraging broadband network and ICT tools.

The programme is being conducted through 168 remote centres across India. The lectures are delivered from IIT Bombay by professors of the institute and IIT Madras.

Through the software A-VIEW, audio-video connectivity is provided between all the centres and IIT Bombay. The course consists of lectures, live interactions and lab sessions.

"This method of synchronous education has been developed at IIT Bombay, under the leadership of D.B. Phatak. This method of education allows participation of a large number of women teachers, who normally are unable to join contact programmes at distant locations, owing to family commitments," an IIT official said.

Kapil Sibal interacted with the remote centres from Kanyakumari, Rajkot, Srinagar and Nagpur.

A representative of IIT Bombay presented an Aakash Tablet to the minister.

Unlike other tablet devices, Aakash could also be used to create computer programmes in Python, C, C++ and Scilab, he said.