Inauguration of K-VLSI PG Diploma Cohort-2
IIIT-Bangalore proudly inaugurated the K-VLSI PG Diploma Cohort-2, welcoming 144 exceptional students from 60+ engineering colleges.
The programme attracted 3,000+ applicants from across 40+ towns, with only 144 top candidates selected through a rigorous screening process, including written examinations and interviews. This one-of-a-kind programme allows students to pursue a PG Diploma alongside their 8th-semester engineering graduation, ensuring they enter the industry, workforce-ready.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Mr. B V Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM); Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore; Prof. Chandrashekar Ramanathan, Dean (Academics), IIIT-B; and Prof. Madhav Rao, Associate Professor & HoD, ECE Department, IIIT-B. The speakers highlighted the programme’s pivotal role in nurturing next-generation semiconductor professionals and strengthening India’s VLSI and semiconductor ecosystem.
The K-VLSI PG Diploma is spearheaded by IIIT-Bangalore’s MINRO Center in collaboration with KDEM, India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), Semiconductor Fabless Accelerator Lab (SFAL), and the IT-BT Department, Government of Karnataka. This strategic industry-academia partnership ensures that students receive cutting-edge training, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world industry demands.
As India makes significant strides in semiconductor manufacturing and VLSI innovation, the K-VLSI programme is playing a crucial role in shaping a skilled, future-ready talent pool—one that will drive the nation’s ambitions in the global semiconductor industry.
March 6
Inauguration of Accessible Resource Centre
An Accessible Resource Centre (ARC) was inaugurated at IIIT-B by Prof. Das along with Mr. Jacob Peter, Senior Vice President, Bosch Global Software (BGSW) and Chairman of the Bosch CSR Steering Committee, Ms. Shilpa Deodhar,BGSW CSR Head, and Ms. Vidhya, Co-Founder, Vision Empower and IIIT-B alumna.
A CSR initiative of BGSW in partnership with Vision Empower (VE) and the Centre for Accessibility in the Global South (CAGS), IIIT-B, ARC will cater to the accessible educational needs of students with visual impairments in Grades K-10, with a particular emphasis on STEM subjects. Foundational skills for children with visual impairments in the pre-school age will also be a focal point. This initiative further aims to deploy various educational aids and assistive technologies, with research-based interventions for teachers and students too.
March 10
Breast Cancer Screening Camp Organized at IIIT-B
As part of the National Safety Week celebrations, the National Safety Council of India conducted a Breast Cancer Screening Camp at IIIT-B. The initiative aimed to promote early detection and awareness of breast cancer among women. The event saw an enthusiastic response from the staff and housekeeping personnel, who actively participated in the screening and awareness sessions.
This initiative underscores IIIT-B’s commitment to fostering a health-conscious and supportive workplace, ensuring the well-being of its community.
March 12
IIIT-Bangalore welcomed delegates from Karmayogi Bharat for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Open Societal Systems (COSS). The MoU, signed in the presence of distinguished leaders including Shri Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman, Capacity Building Commission, and Shri Pankaj Bansal, Board Member. This collaboration marks a significant step in fostering national and global collaboration in digital learning.
The event commenced with a welcome address by the Dean (R&D), IIIT-B, followed by video messages from Dr. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-B, and Dr. S. Rajagopalan, Co-Chair, COSS.
A key focus of the collaboration is the integration of AI-powered learning solutions to enhance public service delivery. Discussions highlighted:
🔹 Personalized course recommendations for learners
🔹 Dynamic learning journeys tailored to individual growth
🔹 Intelligent data insights for competency-based development
By leveraging advanced digital tools, this partnership aims to strengthen continuous learning and upskilling transforming education and governance through technology.
March 12
IIIT-B recently organized an insightful session on Finding Balance: Lessons for Work and Life with Acharya Prashant, offering valuable perspectives on managing career aspirations while nurturing personal well-being. The session empowered attendees with clarity and confidence to navigate life’s challenges effectively.
Acharya Prashant, a renowned Vedanta scholar, philosopher, social reformer, and national bestselling author, shared his profound wisdom during the event. The interactive session saw Acharya Prashant answering a diverse range of audience queries, covering career growth, work-life balance, self-discovery, and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta. His responses offered deep insights and actionable takeaways, making the session highly engaging and impactful.
March 17
Workshop on Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) by IIITB COMET FOUNDATION
IIITB COMET Foundation, in association with Bharat 6G Alliance and TSDSI, successfully concluded a comprehensive workshop focused on Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) technology on 17th March 2025. The day-long event brought together experts, researchers, and industry professionals from across the telecommunications ecosystem.
Workshop Highlights
The event commenced with an inaugural session featuring distinguished representatives from IIITB, COMET, Bharat 6G Alliance, TSDSI, and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). A significant milestone was achieved with the inauguration of the RIS testbed along with an anechoic chamber in the presence of the attending dignitaries.
COMET Foundation demonstrated cutting-edge progress in RIS technology through interactive demonstrations that showcased practical applications and ongoing R&D initiatives. The workshop featured specialized sessions focusing on:
- Equipment Vendor Perspectives on RIS
- Testing Ecosystem Development for RIS
- Research Laboratory Advancements in RIS development
- Academia R&D in RIS
Key Outcomes
The workshop successfully achieved its primary objectives:
- Knowledge Exchange Platform: Created a vibrant forum for Indian researchers and industry professionals working in RIS technology to share ideas, insights, and experiences.
- Testbed Access: Demonstrated COMET RIS testbed facility capabilities to Indian researchers and industry partners (subject to terms and conditions), making these advanced resources available for wider use while identifying community needs for future development.
- Standardization Collaboration: Facilitated discussions on global and domestic standardization activities in RIS technology, empowering Indian researchers and industry stakeholders to contribute effectively to international standards development.
This workshop represents a significant step forward in India’s journey toward developing indigenous capabilities in 6G technologies, particularly in the promising field of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces. It was encouraging to see a vibrant community, spanning academia and industry, working on the research and development of RIS technology in India.
March 26
IIIT-B was delighted to host a delegation from the Mexican Consulate in Mumbai and Mexican Agency for Digital Transformation for a series of technical sessions on the digitalisation of public services. As part of the ATDT initiative, the delegation explored India’s journey with Digital Public Goods – discussing key themes like design, architecture, legal frameworks, and innovation processes.