Chip giant Intel has teamed up with the University of Pune to train students in VLSI (very large scale integration) semiconductor layout design.

Intel will help design a curriculum in the Electronics Science Department and will train the students in custom layout in IC design. Students will work on research projects, and work with leading technologies.

The university said that the Indian VLSI design industry could employ as many as 780,000 people by 2015. Dr Narendra Jadhav, a vice chancellor at the university said India could become a semiconductor knowledge based economy.  "The programme will engage and inspire young people at a time when the education of the next generation of scientists and engineers is more important than ever."

The programme is part of a worldwide Intel collaboration - it has relationships with 150 universities in 34 countries. But the University of Puna is the first uni in the South Asia Pacific region to integrate the Intel Teach Essentials version 10 curriculum in its 84 associated colleges of education. X