Introduction
Bangladesh has taken a decisive step toward entering the global semiconductor race. On 29 December 2025, BRAC University officially inaugurated the Centre of Research Excellence in Semiconductor Technology (CREST)—a national-level research hub aimed at building indigenous semiconductor capability. The launch marks a strategic shift in Bangladesh’s technology ambitions, positioning semiconductors, AI hardware, and advanced electronics at the core of its future economic growth.
CREST is not just another university lab. It is designed as a foundational pillar of Bangladesh’s deep-tech ecosystem, aligned with the broader Silicon River Ecosystem, a national framework integrating Biotech, Electronics, AI, and Robotics (BEAR).
5-Point Overview: Why CREST Is a Big Deal
- First national semiconductor research hub hosted by a private university
- Strong industry-academia partnership led by Neural Semiconductor and BSIA
- Focus on AI chip design, VLSI, materials, and packaging
- Global collaboration with Synopsys, GlobalFoundries, and Purdue University
- Talent-first strategy through CREST Fellowships and the BOOST virtual hub
What Is CREST?
The Centre of Research Excellence in Semiconductor Technology (CREST) is a national research hub dedicated to advanced semiconductor research and workforce development.
Its research scope spans the full semiconductor value chain, including:
- AI-driven chip design
- VLSI systems and microelectronics
- Robotics and intelligent hardware platforms
- Semiconductor materials and nanotechnology
- Chip testing, validation, and packaging
By covering both design and downstream processes, CREST aims to close critical gaps that have traditionally kept emerging economies out of the global semiconductor ecosystem.
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Silicon River Ecosystem: Bangladesh’s Deep-Tech Vision
CREST was launched under the Silicon River Ecosystem, Bangladesh’s strategic framework to integrate high-impact technologies into a unified industrial base.
The BEAR framework focuses on:
- Biotech for life sciences and healthcare innovation
- Electronics as the backbone of modern industry
- Artificial Intelligence for automation and intelligence
- Robotics for manufacturing and defense applications
According to Professor Muhammad Mustafa Hussain of Purdue University, the architect behind both Silicon River and CREST, Bangladesh’s future will be defined by innovation density, not population size.
“Bangladesh’s future as a Nation of Innovation will be shaped by impactful ideas, not demographics.”
This philosophy aligns closely with how countries like Taiwan and South Korea built global technology leadership.
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Industry-Academia Collaboration at the Core
One of CREST’s strongest features is its industry-led design.
Key Industry Partners
- Neural Semiconductor Ltd. – Principal industry sponsor
- Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA) – Strategic coordination
- Synopsys – Access to global-standard EDA tools and curriculum alignment
- GlobalFoundries – Advisory role in testing, packaging, and manufacturing readiness
MA Jabbar, President of BSIA and Managing Director of Neural Semiconductor, emphasized that Bangladesh must build indigenous design capability rather than remain dependent on imported IP.
This model mirrors successful global semiconductor ecosystems, where universities train talent, startups innovate, and industry scales production.
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CREST Fellowship: Building the Next Generation of Chip Engineers
A major highlight of the launch was the announcement of the Inaugural CREST Fellowship.
Fellowship Highlights
- 10 selected fellows
- 8 postgraduate students
- 2 undergraduate students
- Institutions represented:
- BUET
- University of Dhaka
- North South University
- BRAC University and others
These fellows will work on advanced semiconductor research projects, including:
- AI-centric chip architectures
- VLSI system optimization
- Materials science and device physics
This talent-first approach addresses a critical bottleneck: skilled semiconductor engineers, which even advanced economies struggle to produce at scale.
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BOOST: Bangladesh’s National Semiconductor Virtual Hub
Beyond CREST, the event also highlighted BOOST, Bangladesh’s National Semiconductor Virtual Hub.
- Developed and led by the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST)
- Focused on structured training, national infrastructure, and execution-ready skills
- Designed to support both civilian and strategic applications
Major General Nasim Parvez, Commandant of MIST, outlined BOOST’s role in building a disciplined, execution-oriented semiconductor workforce—a crucial requirement in defense, aerospace, and secure electronics.
CREST National Research Specialisations
| Research Domain | Technical Focus | Institutional Partners |
|---|---|---|
| VLSI Systems | Microcircuitry & Integrated Systems | Neural Semiconductor Ltd. |
| AI Chip Design | Custom AI & ML Hardware | BRAC University & BSIA |
| Robotics & AI | Intelligent Autonomous Platforms | MIST & Silicon River |
| Materials Science | Semiconductor Substrates & Nanotech | University of Dhaka |
| Testing & Packaging | Verification & Quality Assurance | GlobalFoundries (Advisory) |
This structure ensures clear ownership, applied outcomes, and industry relevance—a common weakness in academic research programs.
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Why Global Supply Chains Are Paying Attention
According to Mahbub Rashed, Vice President at GlobalFoundries, CREST is timely.
Global semiconductor supply chains are undergoing a structural realignment, driven by:
- Geopolitical risk
- Export controls
- Concentration of manufacturing in a few regions
Countries that can offer design talent, IP creation, and trusted engineering services are increasingly valuable—even without advanced fabs.
CREST positions Bangladesh to enter the ecosystem as a design, validation, and innovation hub, similar to early-stage India and Vietnam strategies.
The Missing Piece: Semiconductor IP and Patent Laws
A critical closing discussion focused on intellectual property protection.
Experts urged the government to:
- Draft semiconductor-specific patent frameworks
- Protect chip layouts, design IP, and process innovations
- Enable export-ready licensing models
Without strong IP laws, domestic innovation risks being undervalued or exploited abroad.
Our Take: Opportunity Meets Execution Risk
CREST is not about buildings or announcements—it is about credibility.
Bangladesh is making the right first bet by focusing on chip design, AI hardware, and talent creation rather than chasing fabs prematurely. The global ecosystem needs trusted design partners, and Bangladesh has the demographic and academic base to supply them.
However, execution will determine outcomes.
Without sustained funding, strong IP laws, and deep industry absorption, CREST risks becoming another well-intentioned academic initiative. Semiconductor leadership is built over decades, not press cycles.
Conclusion: A Long Game Begins
CREST marks the beginning of Bangladesh’s long game in deep-tech hardware. Its success will not be measured by conferences or MOUs—but by chips designed, IP generated, startups formed, and engineers retained over the next decade.
If Bangladesh stays patient, disciplined, and industry-focused, CREST could become the foundation of a genuine semiconductor ecosystem.
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