As India continues to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor industry, SASTRA Deemed University hosted the fifth edition of PACT for IMPACT 2026 – Conclave on Semiconductor & Electronics Manufacturing, reaffirming its focus on preparing students for opportunities in the rapidly evolving electronics and semiconductor ecosystem.
The conclave attracted more than 400 students and faculty members, providing them with an opportunity to engage directly with leading professionals from India’s semiconductor and electronics manufacturing sectors. The event created a platform for meaningful discussions on industry trends, career opportunities and the skills required to succeed in one of the country’s fastest-growing technology domains.
Held at the SoC Auditorium, the conclave focused on the theme, “The Need to Blend Technology and Business in Education.” Industry experts shared practical insights across the semiconductor value chain, covering areas such as RTL design, system verification, Electronic Design Automation (EDA), semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, quality engineering, reliability, testing, failure analysis and product development. The sessions highlighted the importance of combining technical expertise with business knowledge to prepare engineers for future industry demands.
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The eminent panel comprised R. M. Rangaswamy, Vice President (Quality), CG Semi Private Limited; Paul Ilanghovan, Head – Operations, Kaynes Semicon Pvt. Ltd.; A. Gowrisankar, Director – Technical, Caliber Interconnects; Srinivasan Duraiswamy, Managing Director, Mobiveil Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. (A GlobalLogic Company); T. P. Bens Raj, Head – Talent Acquisition, Sanmina-SCI India Pvt. Ltd.; and D. Balakumar, Senior Solutions Director, HCL Technologies.
The discussion was expertly moderated by Dr. John Bosco Balaguru Rayappan, Dean – Sponsored Research, SASTRA Deemed University, who guided the conversation towards bridging the gap between academic excellence and industry expectations while encouraging students to think beyond conventional engineering education.
One of the defining moments of the conclave was the highly engaging question-and-answer session. Students enthusiastically interacted with the panel, raising thoughtful questions on career opportunities, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, higher education, entrepreneurship, employability and the future of semiconductor manufacturing in India. The experts responded with remarkable openness, sharing decades of practical experience and offering career guidance that is rarely available in classrooms or textbooks.
Rather than limiting the discussion to technical knowledge, the panelists shared profound life lessons that resonated deeply with the audience. R. M. Rangaswamy emphasized that quality is far more than a process—it is a way of life. He encouraged students to cultivate curiosity, discipline, ethical values and the habit of doing things right the first time. His powerful advice, “Pursue your career with joy, focus and consistency,” became one of the defining messages of the conclave.
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Paul Ilanghovan inspired students to embrace India’s rapidly expanding semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem with confidence, reminding them that unprecedented opportunities are emerging across fabrication, assembly, packaging and manufacturing, and that adaptability and continuous learning will be the keys to success.
A. Gowrisankar highlighted the growing importance of semiconductor testing, reliability engineering and root-cause analysis. He stressed that engineers with strong technical fundamentals, analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities will continue to remain invaluable as semiconductor technologies become increasingly complex.
Srinivasan Duraiswamy urged students to become lifelong learners. As technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, he explained, continuous reskilling, collaboration and openness to change will define tomorrow’s industry leaders.
T. P. Bens Raj reminded students that organizations recruit individuals not only for technical competence but also for their attitude, integrity, communication skills and willingness to learn. These qualities, he noted, often differentiate exceptional professionals from average performers.
D. Balakumar encouraged aspiring engineers to develop business acumen alongside technical expertise. Engineers who understand customer needs, communicate effectively and create value through innovation will become the architects of India’s technological future.
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Throughout the session, several recurring themes echoed across the panel—quality, curiosity, ethics, resilience, innovation, consistency, focus and the joy of learning. The experts repeatedly emphasized that these are not merely engineering competencies but lifelong values that shape exceptional professionals and responsible human beings.
The panel also encouraged students to develop resilience while solving engineering challenges, cultivate a mindset for failure analysis and root-cause investigation, and strengthen the engineering approach to problem-solving. Students were urged to take advantage of internships, industrial exposure, multidisciplinary learning and hands-on experience to prepare themselves for the rapidly evolving semiconductor ecosystem.
Summing up the session, Dr. John Bosco Balaguru Rayappan observed that meaningful collaboration between academia and industry is essential for developing globally competent engineers. He encouraged students to leverage such opportunities to better understand industry expectations and align their learning with emerging technological trends.
The conclave concluded on a deeply inspiring note as the panelists collectively encouraged students to enjoy what they do, remain passionate about their profession and strive to become not only outstanding engineers but also compassionate and ethical human beings. One senior industry leader reflected on over three decades in the profession, saying, “After 35 years, I can proudly say I am happy with what I am because I chose to enjoy what I do.” The message struck a chord with the audience and reinforced the importance of purpose-driven careers.
With India’s semiconductor mission creating enormous opportunities across design, manufacturing, packaging, testing and advanced electronics, PACT for IMPACT 2026 successfully empowered more than 400 aspiring engineers with first-hand industry knowledge, practical career guidance and the confidence to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
The conclave concluded with a memorable message that captured the spirit of the entire event: “Pursue your career with joy. Stay focused on your goals. Be consistent in your efforts. Never stop learning. Build character alongside competence, and success will naturally follow.”
