Purdue Professor Appointed to National Semiconductor Workforce Advisory Board

Purdue professor Vijay Raghunathan has been named to the Workforce Advisory Board of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). This appointment highlights his leadership in advancing semiconductor education and workforce development in the U.S.

Raghunathan, who joined Purdue in 2006, co-founded the Semiconductor Degrees Program (SDP) in 2022. This program has positioned Purdue as a leader in semiconductor education, fostering partnerships with industry and academic institutions worldwide. His work has helped shape Purdue’s reputation as a hub for innovation and workforce training in microelectronics.

The 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 Board, Raghunathan will provide strategic input on national and regional workforce development initiatives to the NSTC’s newly established Workforce Center of Excellence (WCoE). The board’s mission is to ensure that WCoE programs remain employer-driven, worker-centered, and aligned with real-time industry needs.

Raghunathan emphasized the importance of human talent in the semiconductor industry, stating, “Scaling the workforce is essential to sustaining innovation and economic growth.” His appointment reflects Purdue’s broader commitment to semiconductor research and education through initiatives like “Purdue Computes,” which integrates research, infrastructure, and talent development.

This recognition underscores Raghunathan’s impact in shaping the future of semiconductor innovation and workforce training, reinforcing Purdue’s role as a leader in the field.