collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Banaras Hindu University (IIT BHU) Varanasi to support the launch of the Undergraduate Research Avenue (UGRA), an initiative by the Department of Electronics Engineering focused on fostering hands-on research and innovation among undergraduate students. The Undergraduate Research Avenue is expected to become operational from the upcoming academic year.
As India accelerates efforts to build a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem, the need to equip engineering students with practical expertise in chip design and validation has become increasingly important. IIT BHU Varanasi is strengthening its research-driven learning approach through UGRA, an initiative that will support specialised laboratories covering the complete chip design lifecycle: design, validation, prototyping, tape-out preparation, and silicon testing.
Vertiv India is supporting the establishment of an Advanced Hardware Innovation Lab within the IIT BHU Department of Electronics Engineering, enabling procurement of advanced evaluation boards. Students gain practical experience in design validation and prototyping — moving beyond simulations into real-world hardware work.
“Several upcoming labs envisioned under UGRA will enable undergraduate students to gain exposure to the complete chip design lifecycle, encompassing design, verification, prototyping, tape-out preparation, and silicon testing. The initiative reflects the institute’s broader vision of fostering a vibrant culture of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship among undergraduate students. By providing early access to advanced infrastructure and research opportunities, UGRA aims to inspire students to pursue core electronics and semiconductor technologies while exploring diverse pathways in research, higher studies, and technology-driven entrepreneurship. We believe that such initiatives will play a vital role in developing the next generation of innovators and leaders in the semiconductor ecosystem,” said Prof. Amit Patra, director, IIT (BHU) Varanasi.
