Chip-ping away engg students

CAREER OPTION: Si-Quest has designed a unique programme, keeping in mind the increasing demand for semiconductor designers in India.

With India emerging as a major destination for investments in chip design in recent times, Si-Quest "� a joint initiative of the India Semiconductor Association (ISA) and Campus-Connect "� plans to cover over 35 top engineering colleges of the country and reach out to over 10,000 candidates in these campuses.

The aim is to assess over 5,000 pre-screened candidates for various skill sets required for the semiconductor industry.

"Si-Quest is a well-thought programme by ISA. It aims to create visibility for the semiconductor sector at the campuses and increase visibility about career options. It makes all the stakeholders "� students, institutes and industry "� winners. It will start showing results in the next 3-5 years," notes ISA president Poornima Shenoy.

According to the ISA-Frost & Sullivan's report on the Indian semiconductor industry, the total number of chip design firms in India is estimated at 320 in 2005.

This is expected to reach 415 in 2007, 630 design in 2010 and 1,075 firms in 2015 at a compounded annual growth rate of 13 per cent. The total revenue from chip designing companies based in India is estimated at $ 3.2 billion in 2005 and is expected to grow to $43 billion by 2015.

Key factors driving this growth include rapidly growing local markets, a strong education infrastructure, low-cost design talent, short product lead-times, reduced barriers to entry and rising government support.

India's semiconductor industry has seen a quantum growth in recent times. This has led to an unprecedented need for attracting and nurturing quality talent from campuses.

Si-Quest tests will be composed of questions contributed by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in various ISA member companies. The test will be designed, keeping in mind the corporate need, academic curriculum and the student's capability.

The test will essentially contain two distinct sections: an aptitude test of 40 minutes and subject test of 60 minutes (Computer Science or Electronics). The database of questions will be around 4,000 in number.

According to Campus-Connect representatives, Si-Quest will also help participating companies in branding their internship program in campuses.