Center of Research Excellence in Semiconductor Technology (CREST) Launched— A National Leap Toward Semiconductor Excellence
Nov 02, 2025
Bangladesh has taken a defining step toward its semiconductor future with the launch of the Center of Research Excellence in Semiconductor Technology (CREST) — an initiative conceived, led, and driven by Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) committed to building the nation’s technological sovereignty.
Established under BASICS (Bangladesh Academy of Semiconductor Innovation and Curriculum Support) and aligned with the BEAR Summit (Biotech, Electronics, AI, and Robotics) vision, CREST reflects the collective aspiration of NRBs and local semiconductor industry and academia to position Bangladesh as a Silicon River — a source of innovation and global collaboration in semiconductor technology.
Supported by Neural Semiconductor Ltd. of Bangladesh and two global semiconductor leaders, CREST’s first year will integrate 9 graduate fellowships from 7 leading institutions — BUET (3), DU, NSU, BRAC, UIU, UAP, and EWU — under the mentorship of 9 faculty members. These teams will collaborate with leading U.S. universities, including UC Berkeley, Purdue, and others.
The initiative also includes 6 national training centers — at AIUB, BUET, DU, IUT, MIST and UIU — targeting the training of 100 professionals in advanced semiconductor design. A virtual innovation hub, being jointly developed by MIST and Bangladesh Semiconductor industry Association (BSIA), will serve as a digital ecosystem for networking, enrichment, and empowerment. This will host data of students and professionals, online courses for enrichment and networking opportunity with global and local semiconductor industries and NRB semiconductor experts.
CREST will focus on Low-Power Device Design, AI-Centric Circuits, Advanced Packaging, ReRAM for Automotive Applications, and Silicon Photonics — empowering Bangladesh to contribute meaningfully to the global semiconductor value chain.
CREST will connect the semiconductor research community of EWU by opening up new opportunities in global networking, collaboration and funding as well as by providing support for research students.
