Bangladesh has taken a defining step toward its semiconductor future with the launch of the Center of Research Excellence in Semiconductor Technology (CREST) — an initiative conceived, led, and driven by Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) committed to building the nation’s technological sovereignty.

Established under BASICS (Bangladesh Academy of Semiconductor Innovation and Curriculum Support) and aligned with the BEAR Summit (Biotech, Electronics, AI, and Robotics) vision, CREST reflects the collective aspiration of NRBs and local partners to position Bangladesh as a Silicon River — a source of innovation and global collaboration in semiconductor technology.

Supported by Neural Semiconductor Ltd. of Bangladesh and two global semiconductor leaders, CREST’s first year will integrate 9 graduate fellowships from 7 leading institutions — BUET (3), DU, NSU, BRAC, UIU, UAP, and EWU — under the mentorship of 9 faculty members. These teams will collaborate with leading U.S. universities, including UC Berkeley, Purdue, and others.

The initiative also includes 6 national training centers — at AIUB, BUET, DU, IUT, MIST and UIU — targeting the training of 100 professionals in advanced semiconductor design. A virtual innovation hub, being jointly developed by MIST and Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA), will serve as a digital ecosystem for networking, enrichment, and empowerment. This will host data of students and professionals, online courses for enrichment and networking opportunity with global and local semiconductor industries and NRB semiconductor experts.

CREST will focus on Low-Power Device Design, AI-Centric Circuits, Advanced Packaging, ReRAM for Automotive Applications, and Silicon Photonics — empowering Bangladesh to contribute meaningfully to the global semiconductor value chain.

“This is more than a research center — it is the embodiment of NRBs’ vision to build Bangladesh’s place in deep technology,” said the organizers, reaffirming that global collaboration and homegrown talent will drive the nation’s innovation future.

“Our commitment to the semiconductor initiative reflects the University of Dhaka’s enduring mission to drive innovation that serves the nation,” said Professor Dr. Upama Kabir, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology. “We are investing in people, knowledge, and partnerships to empower Bangladesh’s emergence as a hub of high-impact semiconductor research and development.”