SHAH ALAM, Oct 22 — Selangor took another major step in strengthening its semiconductor ecosystem today with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the partnership, via the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (Asem), marks a positive step in Selangor’s semiconductor industry, building on momentum from the recent Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2025, which highlighted emerging technologies, especially in artificial intelligence (AI).
Under the collaboration, Asem and IIT Madras will focus on two main programmes next year: a graduate skilling programme and a joint academic pathway with Universiti Selangor (Unisel).
The graduate skilling programme will emphasise computer architecture and open chip design, using RISC-V, an open-source instruction set architecture for applications ranging from embedded systems to supercomputers.
“This democratisation of information to power innovation will tie in closely to the second programme, the Joint Academic Pathway with Unisel, as it returns to its foundation as a technical university focusing on industries,” he said during the MOU signing ceremony at the State Secretariat Building today.
Through the partnership, Unisel’s Electrical and Electronic Engineering Faculty will undergo a revamp with IIT Madras, with graduates receiving dual credentials — a degree from Unisel and a certification from IIT Madras.
Amirudin added that these initiatives are expected to benefit 350 participants in the first year, with more in subsequent intakes.
IIT Madras has also expressed interest in establishing an IIT Global Research Hub in Malaysia to serve as a platform for deep-tech startups from both countries to collaborate, host demo days, and pursue joint innovation projects.
He said that Asem will coordinate the initiative to ensure alignment between government, academia, and industry.
Amirudin noted that this partnership is crucial to “build a long-term conveyor belt of graduates who are ready to go into the workforce and take up the jobs that today’s economy, which is defined by technological innovation, will offer.”
The Menteri Besar also highlighted the encouraging results of Selangor’s semiconductor initiatives, with the recent state-organised Malaysia Semiconductor Recruitment Day bringing together 30 companies offering 600 high-value jobs to more than 3,000 visitors, with fresh graduates now receiving offers up to RM6,500.
“This is something we rarely saw just a few years ago,” he said.
Additionally, through Asem’s Train-the-Trainer programme, 50 lecturers from 30 institutions nationwide have been upskilled in advanced testing, packaging, and AI, efforts that will help transfer the latest industry knowledge to more students nationwide.
“Many young people are depending on this effort to succeed, because it is only through higher-quality jobs that they can offer their families a better quality of life,” said Amirudin.
Among those present during today’s ceremony were state executive councillor for investment, trade, and mobility Ng Sze Han, High Commissioner of India to Malaysia B.N. Reddy, Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation chief executive officer (CEO) Yong Kai Ping, IITM Global CEO Thirumalai Madhavnarayan, and Asem general manager Angel Low.
