Tata Consulting Engineers Limited (TCE), a Tata Group company and one of India’s leading private engineering and consulting firms, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arizona State University (ASU), USA, to advance collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, starting with semiconductor workforce development.
The agreement represents a significant step toward strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem through global collaboration in education, training, and applied research. The first initiative will be a joint learning and development program by Arizona State University and Tata Consulting Engineers, designed to offer a holistic introduction to semiconductors, manufacturing processes, plant construction, and controlled environments.
Created in collaboration with ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the program targets technical professionals involved in designing and building semiconductor facilities. It aims to cultivate skilled talent in semiconductor fabrication, cleanroom systems, contamination control, and sub-fab infrastructure through a mix of expert-led sessions and hands-on, industry-aligned projects.
“This partnership is a strategic step towards shaping India’s semiconductor future,” said Amit Sharma, Managing Director and CEO, Tata Consulting Engineers, and an alumnus of Arizona State University. “As a graduate of ASU’s mechanical engineering programme, it is a matter of pride to bring this world-class expertise into Tata Consulting Engineers’ ecosystem. Together, we aim to create benchmark semiconductor engineering capabilities, strengthen India’s journey in this critical sector, and contribute to global semiconductor resilience.”
ASU President Michael Crow stated, “We are delighted to work with Tata Consulting Engineers. This programme is the beginning of what we envision as a long-term collaboration to expand semiconductor workforce capacity and deliver solutions at scale. ASU is deeply committed to supporting India’s ambitions in building a sustainable semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.”
The MoU comes on the heels of ASU’s recent high-level delegation to India, led by President Crow, which engaged with policymakers, industry leaders, and academic institutions in Mumbai, Delhi, and Gandhinagar. Discussions with the India Semiconductor Mission and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology underscored the critical role of advanced skill-building collaborations in strengthening the sector.
India is making substantial investments to position itself as a global semiconductor hub, with plans for fabrication plants, assembly and testing facilities, and advanced electronics manufacturing. Partnerships like this MoU support these national initiatives by fostering a robust talent pipeline and promoting engineering excellence.
