BRAC university partners with SBIT to boost semiconductor research
BRAC University has signed a memorandum of understanding with semiconductor designer sBIT Ltd to collaborate on research, intellectual property development, and prototype creation, strengthening Bangladesh's emerging semiconductor ecosystem.
The partnership brings together academic expertise and industry practice in areas such as semiconductors, VLSI, and other emerging technologies. It is part of BRAC University's wider effort to build national capacity in chip design, applied research, and future-focused engineering education.
The agreement was signed by Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury, and sBIT Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jahangir Dewan, at the university's Merul Badda campus on 18 November.
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Founded in Silicon Valley in 2007, sBIT Ltd specialises in semiconductor VLSI design, cybersecurity software, and IT services. Under the MoU, the company will provide engineering students with access to the Cadence University Program, a platform widely used in the global electronics and semiconductor industry.
Through the partnership, BRAC University students will gain hands-on experience using industry-grade Cadence tools for chip design, SoC verification, integrated circuit packages, printed circuit boards, and complete electronic systems. They will also benefit from internships, apprenticeships, industry-aligned thesis opportunities, and skill-enhancement programmes such as bootcamps, tech talks, and hackathons.
A joint steering committee will select and approve projects, with initial work expected to focus on VLSI design. Project teams comprising faculty members, students, and industry engineers will carry out the initiatives using designated datasets, development tools, and testing infrastructure.
Faculty members, Professor Md Mosaddequr Rahman; Assistant Professor, Twisha Titirsha; Associate Professor, Mirza Rasheduzzaman; and Professor Touhidur Rahman, were present at the signing. Senior Engineer, Abdal Haque Mondol, represented sBIT Ltd.
The collaboration supports BRAC University's commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
