Vadodara : As India accelerates its journey towards building a globally competitive semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, INOX India Limited (INOXCVA), one of the world’s leading cryogenic technology solutions providers, and ITM SLS Baroda University (ITMBU) have inaugurated the SemiOrbit, an Orbital Welding & Process Piping Skill Excellence Centre at the University’s Paldi Campus in Vadodara. Established in collaboration with INOX Air Products and Swagelok Bombay, the Centre marks a significant step towards addressing one of the critical challenges facing India’s emerging semiconductor industry: the availability of a highly skilled, industry-ready technical workforce.
Semiconductor manufacturing demands exceptional precision, uncompromising quality standards and highly specialised infrastructure. Orbital welding and process piping play a critical role in ensuring the integrity, reliability and contamination-free operation of ultra-high-purity (UHP) gas distribution systems and process utilities that are fundamental to semiconductor fabrication and advanced electronics manufacturing. SemiOrbit aims to bridge the gap between conventional technical education and the evolving requirements of the semiconductor industry by equipping young professionals with specialised, industry-relevant skills essential for building and maintaining world-class semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure.
Aligned with the broader objectives of the Government of India’s India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), the Centre will offer structured training programmes, practical workshops, certification courses and hands-on learning opportunities to equip students, trainees and working professionals with specialised technical competencies. By integrating industry expertise with practical training and globally benchmarked standards, the initiative aims to create a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of supporting India’s rapidly evolving semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
The Centre was inaugurated in the presence of Siddharth Jain, Managing Director, INOX Group; Amit Advani, Chairman and Managing Director, Swagelok Bombay; Deepak Acharya, Chief Executive Officer, INOX India Limited; and Ravindra Singh Rathore, Vice President, ITM SLS Baroda University, and Trustee, Samata Lok Sansthan.
Commenting on the inauguration, Siddharth Jain, Managing Director, INOX Group, said, “India’s semiconductor ambitions demand bold initiatives and sustained investments, not just in technology and infrastructure, but equally in developing specialised human capital. SemiOrbit is a significant step in this direction, aimed at addressing a critical skill gap in the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. By equipping young professionals with advanced orbital welding and process piping skills essential for building world-class fabrication infrastructure, we are investing in the people who will shape India’s semiconductor future. The opportunity before India is immense, and the time to build these capabilities is now.”
Amit Advani, Chairman and Managing Director, Swagelok Bombay, said, “The rapid evolution of India’s semiconductor industry presents an extraordinary opportunity, but realising its full potential will require a combination of world-class technologies, global best practices and sustained investment in local skill development. As India builds its semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure, it is imperative that we develop a workforce capable of meeting the highest international standards of precision, quality and reliability. SemiOrbit represents an important step towards this objective, bringing together industry and academia to develop specialised capabilities in orbital welding at scale. We are proud to be part of this collaborative initiative to ensure that India’s semiconductor infrastructure is built right, from the very foundation.”
Deepak Acharya, Chief Executive Officer, INOX India Limited, adds, “Semiconductor manufacturing demands highly specialised infrastructure where precision, purity and reliability are non-negotiable. Orbital welding and process piping are critical to ensuring the integrity and contamination-free performance of ultra-high-purity gas distribution systems, making specialised technical skills indispensable to the industry. Through SemiOrbit, we aim to bridge the gap between conventional technical training and the exacting requirements of semiconductor manufacturing. By combining industry expertise with hands-on learning, we seek to develop a pool of skilled professionals capable of supporting India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem and the broader advanced manufacturing sector.”
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