IIT Kharagpur, A*STAR Singapore Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Semiconductor Innovation in Asia

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In a landmark move to foster global collaboration in semiconductor research and talent development, IIT Kharagpur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Microelectronics (IME) under Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The announcement was made during SEMICON Southeast Asia 2025, where IIT Kharagpur represented India’s academic and technological prowess in the semiconductor domain.

This partnership underscores the shared commitment of India and Singapore to build a resilient, innovative, and skilled semiconductor ecosystem through international collaboration. IIT Kharagpur, India’s premier institution for science and technology, brings decades of expertise in microelectronics, chip design, nano-fabrication, and advanced materials, making it a key technical partner in this alliance.

As India scales its ambitions in semiconductor manufacturing and R&D, this collaboration positions IIT Kharagpur at the forefront of global initiatives aimed at strengthening semiconductor value chains. The MoU opens new avenues for joint research in Advanced CMOS and post-CMOS technologies; Heterogeneous integration and packaging; AI hardware accelerators; Next-generation memory systems; Photonics and quantum devices; Chip reliability, Thermal Management and Failure Analysis. The collaboration also supports exchange programmes for students and researchers, knowledge-sharing workshops, and co-development of training modules to develop future-ready semiconductor talent.

Prof. Anandaroop Bhattacharya, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur stated, “This MoU with A*STAR IME marks a significant step in IIT Kharagpur’s global ambition to drive semiconductor innovation. As India rapidly moves to become a semiconductor hub, academia-industry-government collaborations like this will be crucial in building a robust, self-reliant, and globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem.”

Prof. Yeo Yee Chia, Deputy Chief Executive (Innovation & Enterprise) at A*STAR commented, “Singapore's semiconductor ecosystem is built on strong collaborations between public agencies, academia, and industry partners. The Innovate Together event exemplifies our commitment to fostering these partnerships and accelerating innovation to address industry challenges and capture new opportunities in the global semiconductor landscape.”

The signing was part of A*STAR’s broader initiative to connect with international institutions, including partners from Uzbekistan and Singapore’s own semiconductor industry. The Innovate Together event held alongside SEMICON Southeast Asia 2025 highlighted the importance of cross-border collaborations in addressing complex challenges in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and integration.