The Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), PES University RR Campus, successfully hosted VLSI Day 2026, its flagship annual event, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, academicians, alumni, and students to explore the rapid advancements shaping the semiconductor industry.
Organized in collaboration with the VLSI Society of India (VSI) and powered by AMD, the third edition of the event was centered around the theme “Advancing Towards the New Semiconductor Era.” The programme served as a dynamic platform to discuss emerging technologies, industry trends, innovation, and career opportunities in the growing semiconductor ecosystem.
A Day Dedicated to Semiconductor Innovation
The event featured an impressive lineup of experts from leading semiconductor and technology organizations who shared their insights on the future of chip design, electronic design automation (EDA), artificial intelligence, hardware security, and next-generation processor technologies.
The programme commenced with an engaging session by Dr. Satya Gupta, President, VLSI Society of India, who interacted with students through an innovative quiz format while emphasizing the importance of understanding transistor fundamentals and gaining practical chip-design experience through System-on-Chip (SoC) development.
The keynote address by Mr. Uday Shankar, Senior Director Engineering, AMD, explored the evolution of semiconductor technology and highlighted how modern chip design increasingly focuses on system-level innovation alongside traditional transistor scaling.
Exploring the Future of Chip Design
Throughout the day, participants gained valuable insights into some of the most important developments driving the semiconductor industry.
Experts discussed
- The role of Artificial Intelligence in Electronic Design Automation (EDA)
- Advances in semiconductor manufacturing and design
- Adaptive power control technologies for energy-efficient systems
- Hardware security and protection against future cyber threats
- Post-quantum secure processor design
- Chiplet-based architectures powering AI and data-centric applications
These sessions provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how innovation is accelerating across the semiconductor value chain and creating new opportunities for engineers and researchers.
Industry Perspectives from Distinguished Speakers
The programme featured thought-provoking sessions delivered by professionals from organizations such as AMD, Siemens EDA, LeadSoc Technologies, Numizo Semiconductor, Marvell Semiconductors, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
From discussions on AI-enabled design methodologies to explorations of future-ready hardware systems, participants were exposed to cutting-edge technologies and real-world challenges currently shaping the global semiconductor landscape.
The speakers emphasized the growing significance of India's semiconductor ecosystem and the crucial role engineers and innovators will play in supporting the nation's technological growth.
Alumni Share Career Insights
One of the most engaging segments of the event was the alumni panel discussion featuring graduates from recent batches who are currently working at leading semiconductor and technology companies, including Qualcomm, Synopsys, Texas Instruments, Big-Endian Semiconductors, Agrani Labs, and C2i Semiconductors.
The alumni shared their professional journeys, industry experiences, and practical advice on building successful careers in VLSI and semiconductor engineering. Their interaction gave students valuable perspectives on skill development, industry expectations, and career planning.
Celebrating Student Innovation
VLSI Day 2026 also highlighted student achievements through a poster presentation competition showcasing the top capstone projects developed by students. The presentations reflected the creativity, technical expertise, and problem-solving abilities of aspiring engineers.
The best project poster was recognized with a certificate and cash prize, encouraging students to pursue innovation and research excellence.
The event additionally celebrated the winners and runners-up of Hardwired, the VLSI Hackathon organized by the student technical forum Silicon. Outstanding teams were awarded certificates and cash prizes in recognition of their technical achievements and innovative solutions.
A Platform for Learning and Inspiration
With participation from more than 250 attendees, VLSI Day 2026 successfully created a vibrant environment for learning, networking, and knowledge sharing. The expert talks, technical discussions, industry interactions, and alumni engagement provided participants with a holistic perspective on semiconductor technologies and emerging opportunities in the field.
Driving the Semiconductor Vision Forward
As India continues to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor landscape, initiatives such as VLSI Day play a vital role in preparing future engineers for the challenges and opportunities ahead. By connecting academia with industry and fostering innovation-driven discussions, PES University continues to contribute to the development of a skilled and future-ready semiconductor workforce.
VLSI Day 2026 stood as a celebration of technological excellence, industry collaboration, and the shared vision of advancing towards a new era of semiconductor innovation.
