‘Deviation’ wins VLSIThon 3.0

Chittagong University’s student team ‘Deviation’ has won VLSIThon 3.0, a VLSI-based chip design competition aimed at developing industry-ready semiconductor skills among university students in Bangladesh.

The final round and award ceremony of VLSIThon 3.0 were held Thursday at Ulkasemi’s Dhaka Design Centre in the capital. The competition was organised by semiconductor design company Ulkasemi in partnership with the Ulkasemi VLSI Training Institute (UVTI), with support from American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB).

A total of 106 teams comprising 206 students from more than 30 universities participated in the competition. After several rounds, the top 10 teams advanced to the final. Following their problem-solving presentations, the top three teams were selected as winners.

‘Deviation’ from Chittagong University, comprising Md. Rakib Hasnat and Md. Shahriar Khan, became champion. Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology’s ‘Voltex’ secured first runner-up, while Shahjalal University of Science and Technology’s ‘Density Demons’ finished second runner-up.

Competition aligned with industry demand

The organisers said VLSIThon is designed around semiconductor domains where the industry has a high demand for skilled professionals. This year, the competition focused on place-and-route, or PNR.

Demand for professionals skilled in PNR is growing across semiconductor markets, from Malaysia to Germany. The organisers said the domain was selected specifically to help students understand current industry requirements and prepare themselves for employment.

VLSIThon also gives students an opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world problem solving. According to the organisers, such practical experience can give participants an advantage over other candidates in the job market.

Many previous VLSIThon participants and winners are now working successfully at Ulkasemi and other companies, the organisers said.

From training to practical problem solving

The organisers described VLSIThon as the first semiconductor-related competition focused on VLSI in Bangladesh.

Before the competition, all 106 teams received training through seminars and workshops. They then took a 100-mark assessment combining a theoretical written examination with practical problem solving using EDA tools.

Based on the results, the top 10 teams were selected for the final case-solving and presentation round.

Foreign Secretary Mu. Nazrul Islam, AIUB Vice-Chancellor Saiful Islam and Ulkasemi CEO and President Mohammad Enayetur Rahman attended the event as guests.

Saiful Islam said joint initiatives between academia and industry like VLSIThon would encourage more students to pursue careers in the semiconductor sector.

Mohammad Enayetur Rahman said VLSIThon is creating a bridge between academic education and the real-world requirements of the industry. He said many VLSIThon participants are now successfully working at Ulkasemi and other companies in the country.

Winners eye bigger opportunities

Champion-team member Md. Rakib Hasnat told Prothom Alo, ‘We participated here out of our own interest. Although our university does not yet offer a course on VLSI, we learned on our own because we were interested in participating. We want to learn more. By winning this competition, we hope to become involved in bigger projects in the future.’

Mehedi Karim, a member of first runner-up team Voltex alongside S.M. Moin Haque, said, ‘There are many opportunities ahead in the semiconductor sector. Such competitions will help us improve our skills and overcome new challenges. We had the opportunity to apply in this competition what we learn in classes or laboratories. We want to build careers in this sector with the aim of contributing to the growth of Bangladesh’s semiconductor industry.’

Second runner-up Density Demons members Saeed Ahmed Mridha and Md. Rashedul Islam study at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet.

Md. Rashedul Islam said, ‘This competition gives students studying EEE an opportunity to improve their technical skills and knowledge. We want to pursue competitive work and research opportunities related to the semiconductor sector in the future. Processor- and chip-based work will continue to expand, and such VLSI competitions will help us develop the skills needed for that future.’

The organisers said similar competitions will continue regularly to strengthen students’ skills and encourage them to explore careers in the semiconductor industry while still at university.
//DBTech/Nafisha Anjum/IH/SME//