WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Vice President of Global Partnerships and Programs, Director of Semiconductor Education, and Elmore Family Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Vijay Raghunathan has been named the inaugural member of the Workforce Advisory Council. National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC).
Raghunathan is one of only four representatives from major universities chosen to serve on the 18-member Board of Directors, making him a key voice in the national effort to build and strengthen the semiconductor talent pipeline. will play the role of This appointment underscores Purdue’s national leadership in semiconductor education and workforce development.
NSTC was established under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 to strengthen U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology and innovation. As a member of the NSTC Workforce Advisory Council, Mr. Raghunathan will provide strategic input on national and regional workforce development initiatives to NSTC’s newly established Workforce Center of Excellence (WCoE). The Board’s mission is to ensure that the WCoE program remains employer-led, worker-centered, and aligned with real-time industry needs.
NatCast, the nonprofit organization designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce to operate the NSTC, announced its new board of directors on Thursday (January 2). In announcing the board members by NatCast, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo praised the board’s expertise and role in ensuring the success of the nation’s workforce development efforts. “These outstanding leaders have the experience and track record necessary to advise WCoE and hold it to the highest standards, and will play a critical role in advancing these efforts.” Raimondo said.
“Human talent is perhaps the most important element in the semiconductor supply chain. Increasing the size of the workforce is essential to sustaining innovation and driving economic growth in this vital industry,” Raghunathan he said. “Thanks to the vision and tenacity of Purdue President Moon Chan and the continued efforts of our talented faculty and staff, Purdue is a leader in addressing this national and industry-wide challenge. NSTC Workforce Advisory It is a unique opportunity to serve on the committee, and I look forward to working with NSTC’s leadership and talented board members to develop a national strategy for building a strong semiconductor talent pipeline. ”
Since joining Purdue in 2006, Raghunathan has played a pivotal role in advancing the university’s semiconductor efforts. He co-founded the Semiconductor Degree Program (SDP) in 2022 and has since earned national and international recognition for pioneering semiconductor education and workforce development. SDP fosters collaborations with top industry players and academic institutions around the world and has helped establish Purdue as a global leader in microelectronics and semiconductors.
In 2023, Mr. Raghunathan was named Vice President of Global Partnerships and Programs, tasked with overseeing and strengthening Purdue’s global footprint. His role will continue to attract exceptional international talent to Purdue, expand global opportunities for all Boilermakers, and develop high-impact partnerships with academia, industry, and government stakeholders around the world. , and is focused on increasing Purdue’s global influence and reputation.
Purdue’s leadership in semiconductors is the foundation of Purdue Computes, a comprehensive effort spanning the Department of Computing, Physical AI, Quantum Science, and Semiconductor Innovation. The university’s growing semiconductor ecosystem combines cutting-edge research, transformational investments in infrastructure, and workforce development programs to establish a national benchmark for excellence at scale.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research institution that exemplifies excellence at scale. Ranked among the top 10 public universities and two in the nation’s top four, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge at a quality and scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study in a variety of ways and locations at Purdue, including nearly 50,000 students who study in person at our West Lafayette campus. With a focus on affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition for the 13th consecutive year. Learn how Purdue continues its relentless pursuit of the next big leap, including Indianapolis’ first integrated urban campus, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes, and the One Health Initiative. Visit https://www.purdue.edu/. President/Strategic Initiatives.
