The Alliance Tech Conclave 2024 focused on the semiconductor landscape in the Indian context, hosted by the Office of CAN and Alliance College of Engineering and Design at Alliance University. The event featured a range of discussions on the role of semiconductors in advancing India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and the contribution of higher educational institutions to national interests.

Welcome and Introductory Remarks

The Registrar-General, Ms. Surekha Shetty, delivered the welcome address, setting the tone for the discussions. Dr. Reeba Korah, Dean of Alliance College of Engineering and Design, provided an introductory note, outlining the significance of the conference. Dr. Gaurav Kumar, HOD of ECE at the Alliance College of Engineering and Design, discussed advancements in wireless communication. He emphasized the importance of aligning academic curricula with industrial demands to keep pace with technological progress.

Keynote Address

Mr. Ruchir Dixit, Vice President & Country Manager, delivered the keynote address. He highlighted the crucial role of semiconductors in the new trade era, touching on the impacts of COVID-19, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain technology. He also discussed the increasing data traffic across industries and the vision for India to become a global leader in electronics and semiconductors by 2047.

Panel Discussion: Inventing Our Semiconductor Future Together

Moderated by the Professor & Program Director - Ph.D. at Alliance College of Engineering and Design, Dr. Ramana Murthy G, this panel included Mr. M Praveen Acharya, Mr. Arun Shankar, Mr. Vinayakam Subramanian, Mr. Aleem Rehaman, and Dr. Rakhi Nangia. The discussion focused on short-term research and development goals, the evolution of design technology, and the manufacturing ecosystem in India. The panel stressed the need for industrial collaboration and elaborated on the evolution of electronic design automation (EDA), application engineering, multiphysics alignment, and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) skills.

They highlighted the emerging semiconductor industry’s key areas and advised engineers to feature their work on processors, RAM, and related projects prominently on their resumes. The discussion also addressed the global semiconductor manufacturing shortage, the predicted creation of 2.6 million jobs by 2026–27, and the multidisciplinary skillsets required. The SEMICON India program for startups was also mentioned.

Panel Discussion: Sustainability and ESG in Semiconductor Ecosystems

This panel was moderated by the Assistant Professor & International Relations Coordinator at Alliance College of Engineering and Design, Dr. Srikanth Itapu and featured Mr. Ram Kerur, Mr. Taha M S, Dr. Niladri Choudhuri, and Mr. Nihar Shetty. The discussion covered logistics and risks in chip manufacturing, chemical engineering for purity, and the impact of cybersecurity and geopolitics on the supply chain. The role of Delta Electronics in generating green energy and mobility, particularly in the context of electric automobiles, was highlighted. The panel also discussed the geopolitical and cybersecurity impacts of semiconductor chips and strategies to reduce chip usage. They emphasized recycling and digital twin innovation as methods to extend product life.

Conclusion

The conclave provided valuable insights into the semiconductor industry and its role in shaping India's technological future. The discussions underscored the importance of educational institutions and industry collaboration in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.