“Our IT sector couldn’t progress like India over the past few years but now UET is set to give it a direction” says Minister Higher Education Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfaraz while speaking at the closing ceremony of Cadence EDA tools training program. A specialized training program on Cadence EDA tools was organized at UET Lahore. A total of 16 trainees, 2 each from the 8 higher education institutes of the Punjab got their hands on to the Cadence tools. National and International experts shared their diversified experience with the attendees. 9 days long training program was kicked off with an orientation session on 21st June 2021 which was conducted by Dr. Ahsan Tahir, and Dr. Obaid Fayyaz. These tools have a flow which is front end to back end so starting off with the front-end session organized by Dr. Bilal it was migrated to the back end. There was a special session with Mr. Irfan Qayum from Cadence USA on synthesis tool. Towards the end of the training Dr. Owais bin Altaf from LUMS had a session on back-end design. Training program came to an end with a closing ceremony which was graced by the Honorable Minister Higher Education Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfaraz with his presence as a Chief Guest. Director Al-Khwarizmi Institute of Computer Science (KICS), Prof. Dr. Waqar Mahmood not only briefed the Chair on different aspects of the training but also thanked him for his unprecedented support in achieving this great milestone. “We are working in a very consistent manner, without wasting even a single day, so as to procure software and hardware components fairly in time” said Dr. Waqar Mahmood.“He is probably the first Higher Education Minister who do not only realize the importance of IT sector in Pakistan but also possess the required knowledge being expert of the field” said Vice Chancellor UET Lahore, Prof. Dr. Syed Mansoor Sarwar in his thanking note. He expressed his great hope in this initiative saying, Country would be able to give sizeable contribution through this facility. Vice Chancellor shared a promising news and a success story of a young research team from UET comprising Dr. Tayyab, Dr. Tahir, Dr. Obaid, and Mr. Umar Shahid who have recently been qualified for the Google E-Fabex program for their unique chip design to control motion. It is a matter of extreme privilege and pride for UET that after being acknowledged by the Google IEEE Solid State Devices have committed to fully sponsor the project. Minister Higher Education, Yasir Humayun Sarfaraz specially thanked VC UET, Prof. Dr. Syed Mansoor Sarwar, and Director KICS, Prof. Dr. Waqar Mahmood for their untiring efforts in execution of the project. “Unfortunately, our IT sector couldn’t progress like India over the past few years but now University of Engineering & Technology Lahore is all set in the right direction and right path that will ultimately help IT sector of the country to touch the skies”. He emphasized the importance of developing quality human resource that will help in job creation and ultimately boost the economy. “Although UET produces best resources in the country, but we need to get more competitive in the international market” said Raja Yasir Humayun. He assured his maximum support in incentivizing chip design technologies like India so as to get maximum traction and quality outcome. The closing ceremony was concluded with the presentation of certificates, and souvenirs among the participants, and trainers of the Cadence EDA tools training program.
