Bhubaneswar, August 12:Five meritorious Class X students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) of Odisha participated in a prestigious two-day Semiconductor Training Programme at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

The programme was organised under the STEM Initiative supported by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to provide talented EMRS students with first-hand exposure to semiconductor science, advanced research facilities, clean-room technology and emerging career opportunities in the field of science and technology.

The participating students were Prabin Kumar Naik and Geetanjali Mahanta from EMRS Gidhibas, Dusmanta Majhi from EMRS Bahalda, and Hiramani Baskey and Fulamani Singh from EMRS Dhanghera. Debasmita Priyadarshini Behera of EMRS Gidhibas accompanied the students as the escort teacher.

On the first day, the students received orientation on semiconductor technology, clean-room safety, contamination control and wafer processing. They also visited specialised Optics, Electrical, Mechanical, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) laboratories, gaining valuable exposure to advanced scientific instruments, research facilities and laboratory practices.

The second day focused on semiconductor fabrication and the complete manufacturing process. The students were introduced to clean-room environments, precision manufacturing techniques and safety protocols, while also learning about the growing importance of semiconductors in India’s technological and strategic development.

A special career guidance and counselling session was organised to encourage the students to pursue higher education and explore careers in science, technology, engineering and research. The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants.

The exposure to the advanced research environment at IISc is expected to broaden the students’ scientific outlook and motivate them to explore emerging fields such as semiconductors, nanotechnology, electronics and advanced research. The initiative marks an important step towards creating greater opportunities for tribal students to engage with cutting-edge science and technology.