Synopsys, Inc., a specialist in software and IP used in the design, verification and manufacture of electronic components and systems, announced that Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT) in Amman, Jordan is the first university in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to receive the Charles Babbage Grant from Synopsys.
Through the grant, PSUT receives licenses for Synopsys' comprehensive, industry-leading electronic design automation (EDA) software, along with curriculum support and professor training. The grant also provides new computer hardware, printers and educational equipment, enabling PSUT to create two new laboratories for full- and semi-custom integrated circuit (IC) design for 20 students.
Lack of access to commercial-grade design tools for advanced research and microelectronic design is a common issue facing universities today. Synopsys helps solve this challenge through initiatives like the Charles Babbage Grant and its Worldwide University Program, which provide select universities with design software for modern electronic design flows and leading commercial IC fabrication processes. Previous grant recipients outside of United States include the Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Southampton, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology (MIET), Yerevan State University and the State Engineering University of Armenia.
Synopsys and the Department of Electronics Engineering at the King Abdullah II School of Electrical Engineering at PSUT began collaborating in 2010 by establishing a microelectronics education program through a VLSI course integrated into the Electronics Engineering curriculum in IC design. In addition to EDA software and computer resources, Synopsys provides PSUT with support, advisors, faculty training and facilitates student and faculty exchanges. In 2011, Jordanian students participated in internships and joined Student Working Groups at the Synopsys Armenia Educational Department and R&D centre. The students also successfully competed in the International Microelectronics Olympiad of Armenia, an annual competition that recognizes and inspires young talented engineers involved in microelectronics. PSUT and Synopsys are continuing to strengthen their cooperation in research and education. Again this year, PSUT students will intern at Synopsys Armenia and participate in the Seventh International Microelectronics Olympiad of Armenia.
The Charles Babbage Grant provides select universities worldwide with state-of-the-art EDA tools, training, support and technology. It enables institutions of higher education to enhance their expertise in microelectronics circuits and system design. Use of the Synopsys tools on modern, powerful computers from the grant helps universities to better prepare their graduates for the future by providing hands-on experience with current industry practices, modern design techniques and actual design tools and computer hardware. This enhances the students' understanding of how learning applies to the real world of IC design. The grant is named after British mathematician and inventor Charles Babbage, who designed and built mechanical computing machines on principles that anticipated the modern electronic computers of today over 150 years ago.
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