Tata Consulting Engineers and Arizona State University have launched a specialised training programme to equip engineers with the skills needed to build and power India’s semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure.
While the Trump administration’s tariff war has signalled a period of economic strain between India and the US, it is increasingly clear that American businesses and institutions cannot afford to overlook the opportunities offered by the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
In a move that reiterates this pragmatic engagement, Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), India’s largest private-sector engineering and consulting firm, has signed an MoU with Arizona State University (ASU) to jointly develop a semiconductor workforce programme tailored to India’s emerging chip manufacturing ecosystem.
The agreement, signed in New Delhi, marks a strategic collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, beginning with semiconductor education, training, and applied research. The first initiative under the partnership is a learning and development programme designed by ASU’s Ira A Fulton Schools of Engineering and TCE. It will introduce technical professionals to semiconductor fundamentals, fabrication processes, cleanroom systems, contamination control, and sub-fab infrastructure.
“This partnership is a strategic step towards shaping India’s semiconductor future,” said Amit Sharma, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Consulting Engineers. “As an ASU alumnus, it is a matter of pride to bring this world-class expertise into our ecosystem and contribute to global semiconductor resilience.”
The programme combines expert-led sessions with industry-aligned projects and is tailored for engineers involved in the design and construction of semiconductor facilities. It aims to build a skilled talent pipeline capable of supporting India’s ambitions in chip fabrication, plant construction, and advanced electronics manufacturing.
ASU President Michael Crow observed, “This programme is the beginning of a long-term collaboration to expand semiconductor workforce capacity and deliver solutions at scale. ASU is committed to supporting India’s ambitions in building a sustainable semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.”
India’s Semiconductor Goals
The MoU follows ASU’s recent delegation to India, which held discussions with the India Semiconductor Mission and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The visit highlighted the importance of advanced skill-building partnerships to strengthen India’s semiconductor sector.
India is investing heavily to become a global hub for semiconductors, with plans for fabrication plants, assembly and testing units, and advanced electronics clusters. The TCE–ASU collaboration supports these efforts by focusing on engineering excellence and workforce readiness.
Kyle Squires, Senior Vice Provost of Engineering, Computing & Technology, ASU, said, “Our work with Tata Consulting Engineers is about building long-term capacity and trust that can fuel economic growth, advance technology, and create global impact. Together, we aim to prepare the next generation of engineers to drive semiconductor innovation.”
Michael Kozicki, Professor at ASU & Programme Lead, added, “Participants in this programme will not only gain technical knowledge but also learn how to foster a culture of innovation and quality that is essential to semiconductor success. Partnering with Tata Consulting Engineers allows us to connect academic insights with industry-ready applications.”
The initiative also aligns with the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), which promotes bilateral cooperation in semiconductors, quantum computing, AI, and advanced telecom.