Teaming up for tomorrow’s tech
ASU builds relationships, signs agreements to further mutually beneficial engineering education, research collaborations in India
Kyle Squires (right), dean of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and senior vice provost of engineering, computing and technology at ASU, poses for a photo with Amit Sharma (left), managing director and CEO of Tata Consulting Engineers, and S. Krishnan (middle), secretary of the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, at an event on a trip to India. Squires traveled to India to build relationships between ASU and the country’s academic, industry and government organizations for research and workforce development collaborations. Photo courtesy Kimberly Taylor
In a competitive global economy, collaboration is crucial to maintaining market dominance. This applies beyond the private sector, with institutions like Arizona State University joining forces across borders to develop a highly skilled workforce and the technology of tomorrow.
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU works with universities, companies and governments worldwide to develop innovative new technologies and train skilled engineers and technologists of the future.
Kyle Squires, dean of the Fulton Schools, embarked on a trip to India in late August and early September following a visit earlier in the year to build relationships and collaborations that will benefit both countries for research, development and education.
Creating critical technologies, together
During the visit, Squires signed memorandums of understanding at the SEMICON India conference with India Semiconductor Mission and Tata Consulting Engineers. The partnerships focus on workforce development and research in microelectronics — fields that are becoming increasingly vital as artificial intelligence drives demand for more advanced chip technologies.
“With one of the world’s largest engineering and technology economies, India is perfectly positioned for collaborations that help both their domestic industries and the Fulton Schools,” says Squires, who also serves as ASU senior vice provost of engineering, computing and technology and vice provost of the Polytechnic campus. “As the largest engineering college in the U.S., and with a vast international presence, we’re thrilled to combine the expertise of our faculty and students with that of India to create novel breakthroughs while building a global engineering and technology workforce.”
The agreements with Indian institutions aim to increase resilience in the microelectronics industry, which faced supply chain problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bottlenecks from depending heavily on a small number of sources for semiconductor chips caused demand to outstrip supply for a variety of goods, creating shortages and sending prices soaring for cars, consumer electronics and more.
Like the U.S., India has made it a national priority to ramp up domestic semiconductor research and production. India Semiconductor Mission, an Indian government division, aims to make the country one of the best in the world for electronics.
Key to advancing India’s semiconductor industry is developing a workforce to power the many companies in the technology space. Tata Consulting Engineers, India’s largest engineering consulting firm, began its work with ASU by developing a course tailored to industry needs for learners to gain an overview of microelectronics manufacturing.
“This partnership is more than an educational initiative; it’s a strategic alliance that leverages our shared commitment to innovation and excellence,” said Amit Sharma, managing director and CEO of Tata Consulting Engineers and a Fulton Schools alumnus, in a press release. “As a graduate of ASU’s mechanical engineering program, 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.”
Building relationships with alumni
Also on Squires’ agenda were meetings with Indian alumni.
The first opportunity was a reception for business leaders and government officials hosted by Vani Kola, a Fulton Schools electrical engineering alumna who founded and serves as managing director of venture capital firm Kalaari Capital. The reception included a discussion with Kola about the shared technological and workforce development goals between the U.S. and India and how ASU is working toward those goals in fields such as semiconductors, AI, cybersecurity, clean energy and materials innovation.
In addition to the reception with Kola, Squires served as moderator for a panel Q&A event with ASU alumni Rahul Handa, chief business officer at digital payment firm NPCI BHIM Services Ltd., and Sharma.
The panel, attended by ASU alumni as well as future students, gave attendees a glimpse at how Sun Devil alumni are innovating Indian industries to move the country into the future and better its standard of living. The panelists discussed their journeys from ASU to their current careers, how ASU’s vast alumni network can help support Indian development goals and opportunities for those just starting or about to start their careers.
An international future
Squires also met with representatives of more companies to lay foundations for further relationships. As more industry collaborators come onboard, the Fulton Schools’ presence in and collaboration with India will continue to grow.
“ASU is the most innovative university in the U.S. and values the holistic engagement with the talent pool that resides in India,” says Moninder “Holly” Singh, assistant vice president of the ASU International Students and Scholars Center.
“Our continuous attention to fashioning global citizens, who will transform humanity’s future in due time, cannot be attained without international student participation, and Indian students, at present, are the largest international student population at ASU.”