The Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in association with Groww Foundation, has launched the Groww Foundation – CeNSE Semiconductor Skill Development Programme.

The main goal behind this initiative is to train students in the area of semiconductor science and technology and to increase participation in this area.

The main objective behind this program is to encourage women and young students to participate in areas such as micro and nano technology and to contribute to skill development in the area of semiconductors. It is being led by Dhavala Suri, an assistant professor at CeNSE.

The initiative includes three programs, each of which focuses on a different level of education and research. The first program, “Akanksha – STEM for Girls,” is for school students. This program gives school students an opportunity to get exposed to micro and nano technology through visits to labs and interactions with researchers.

The second initiative is the Women in STEM Research Experience Program (REP), which gives women students a chance to get hands-on research experience in nano science and semiconductor research.

The third component is an internship for students trained through skill development initiatives that are funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. These internships allow students to gain hands-on experience with semiconductor fabrication processes and laboratory activities, and are expected to enhance students' technical abilities and increase their employability within the semiconductor industry as they gain real-world experience.

Ambarish Ghosh, CeNSE Chair, noted that this programme has been designed to support the cultivation of talent in the semiconductor industry and Groww Foundation's spokesperson noted that its objective is to expand access to science and technology opportunities to students regardless of their backgrounds.

With the programme supporting roughly 160 female and woman students over a three-year time period, the focus of the internships will be to develop skills pertinent to the semiconductor ecosystem within India.