Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), India’s largest private-sector engineering and consulting organisation and part of the Tata Group, 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, signed in New Delhi, marks a significant step in strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem through international cooperation in education, training, and applied research. The first initiative will be a joint learning and development programme developed by TCE and ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. The programme will provide technical professionals with a comprehensive introduction to semiconductor manufacturing processes, plant construction, cleanroom systems, contamination control, and sub-fab infrastructure.

Amit Sharma, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Consulting Engineers, and an ASU alumnus, said: “This partnership is a strategic step towards shaping India’s semiconductor future. 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 commented, “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 follows ASU’s recent delegation to India, led by President Crow, which engaged with policymakers, industry leaders, and institutions. Discussions with the India Semiconductor Mission and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology underlined the need for advanced skill-building partnerships to bolster the sector.

India is investing heavily to establish itself as a global hub for semiconductors with fabrication plants, assembly and testing units, and advanced electronics manufacturing. This collaboration supports those efforts by creating a robust talent pipeline and enabling engineering excellence. It also aligns with the U.S.–India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), a bilateral framework for cooperation in semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, and advanced telecommunications.

Dr Kyle Squires, Senior Vice Provost of Engineering, Computing and Technology at ASU, said: “Our work with Tata Consulting Engineers is about building long-term capacity and trust that can fuel economic growth, advance technology, and create global impact.”

Dr Michael Kozicki, Professor at ASU and programme lead, added: “Participants in this programme will not only gain technical knowledge but also learn to foster a culture of innovation and quality essential to semiconductor success.”