In a significant step toward building a future-ready workforce, the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), under the Ministry of IT and Telecom, has announced the launch of three Semiconductor Education & Research Clusters (SERCs). These centers aim to produce over 1,000 trained engineers by 2030, strengthening Pakistan’s position in the global semiconductor industry.
For years, Pakistan’s IT sector has focused on software exports, but the semiconductor field remained largely untapped. With global demand for chip design and verification experts soaring, this initiative reflects the government’s resolve to equip Pakistani engineers with cutting-edge skills.
According to official documents, the clusters will be set up in the North, Centre, and South regions, creating regional hubs of academic excellence. They will modernize curricula in electronics, electrical, and computer engineering while embedding advanced semiconductor design training. The program will focus on chip design, verification, applied R&D, and industry-ready innovation.
The Semiconductor Education & Research Clusters (SERCs) are designed to:
- Develop a pipeline of semiconductor talent.
- Strengthen academic and research capacities in universities.
- Foster collaboration between academia and industry.
- Promote indigenous research and employability in the fabless semiconductor ecosystem.
To ensure transparency, PSEB has invited public sector universities to submit proposals through the e-procurement system (EPADS). A pre-bid meeting took place on September 16, 2025, while the deadline for submissions is September 26, 2025, at 4:00 PM, with mandatory bid security.
Key Highlights
| Initiative | Details |
| Clusters | 3 regional SERCs (North, Centre, South) |
| Target | Train 1,000 engineers by 2030 |
| Focus | Chip design, verification, applied R&D |
| Universities | Eligible to apply via EPADS |
| Proposal Deadline | September 26, 2025 |
This initiative could be a game-changer for Pakistan’s tech future, bridging the gap between academia and industry while preparing engineers for the global semiconductor race.
Question remains: Will Pakistan’s universities and industry leaders seize this opportunity to position the country as a competitive player in the global chip design ecosystem?