The Howard University Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Opens its New Silicon Design and Validation Laboratory
The Howard University Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science recently opened its state-of-the-art Silicon Design and Validation Lab. This cutting-edge facility, funded primarily with Apple’s generous $1.3M Innovation Grant, is designed to foster innovation and excellence in the fields of semiconductor design, testing, and validation. Electrical engineering professor and department chair Ahmed Rubaai, Ph.D., is serving as the principal investigator and lab director to further expand silicon and hardware engineering research and education at Howard University.
The lab will serve as a hub for research, education, and industry collaboration, providing new and innovative opportunities for students and faculty in silicon and hardware engineering. The collaboration with Microsoft's Silicon Engineering Solutions and Cloud Hardware Infrastructure Engineering (SCHIE) team, led by Microsoft Corporate Vice President Reynold D'Sa, has provided essential guidance and support throughout the lab’s development stages.
A testament to the university’s commitment to providing its students with the tools and opportunities needed to excel in the rapidly evolving field of semiconductor technology, this facility enhances the university’s academic programs while enhancing its role as a leader in technological innovation and industry collaboration.
members Ahmed Rubaai, Ph.D. and Hassan Salmani, Ph.D.
With its hands-on learning environment, the new lab will further prepare engineering students for careers in semiconductor design and related fields. Students will be trained with the latest technologies and methodologies, which will help bridge the skills gap in the semiconductor industry, producing graduates who are ready to meet the demands of the workforce.
Through partnerships with major semiconductor companies, including Apple, Microsoft, and Autodesk, the lab will provide students with real-world project opportunities, internships, and access to proprietary technologies and tools.