Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - A world leader in software and IP for semiconductor design and manufacturing, and the Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to implement a VLSI Design Program at PSUT at MENA ICT Forum. The goal of the collaboration is to educate Jordanian students in integrated circuit design so they can help lead Jordan into its next stage of technology development.

MENA ICT Forum widely considered one of the Region’s foremost Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Information and Communications Technology Enabled Services (ICTES) industry events, the 2010 Forum will present over 65 distinguished speakers from leading private and public ICT and ICTES entities from around the globe, who will convene in Amman to deliberate the MENA regions most current and pressing ICT and ICTES concerns.

The parties plan for PSUT to offer a university-level microelectronics education program in Jordan that is based on the Synopsys University Tools Package and customized curriculum for electronic design automation (EDA). Synopsys aims to apply its experience in microelectronics education to PSUT’s VLSI Design Program in order to prepare graduates for work in the industry.

Synopsys intends to provide PSUT with a state-of-the-art educational environment that includes electronic design tools, an Educational Design Kit and interoperable Process Design Kit, customized curricula and guidance in implementing the program. In addition, Synopsys plans to deliver support, advisors, faculty training, and exchanges for students and faculty.

PSUT plans to participate in upcoming national and regional awards competitions, starting with the fifth annual International Armenia Microelectronics Olympiad. They will participate by locally hosting a preliminary round of the competition and will send the winner to compete in the final round in Yerevan, Armenia. The final Olympiad will be held during Synopsys Week in Armenia on October 27.

“I praise the memorandum of understanding as a credit for Princess Sumaya University for Technology as it makes further strides in excellence and promotes unstinting efforts to have able graduates who can provide high-quality services to their country and to the world as a whole,” said PSUT President Dr. Issa Batarseh. “As Synopsys has longstanding and unique experience in microelectronics, we are proud of this cooperation and we are sure that it will definitely bring up mutual benefits.”

“Universities are at the forefront of Jordan’s nascent transition to a knowledge based economy,” said Rich Goldman, vice president of Corporate Marketing and Strategic Alliances at Synopsys. “The ability to provide well-qualified specialists to form the workforce is the foundation that this economy will be built upon. The planned cooperation between PSUT and Synopsys will help provide this foundation.”

Synopsys Worldwide University Programs have been providing technology, tools and resources for teaching and academic research since 1986. The programs serve thousands of students and professors worldwide, with Synopsys’ tools currently installed in more than 450 educational institutions. University professors and staff have the unique responsibility of preparing the future workforce and conducting research to advance technology. Synopsys Worldwide University Programs give easy access to Synopsys’ best-in-class EDA tools while providing training, high-quality support and curriculum development assistance. By enabling engineering students to receive hands-on experience with Synopsys’ industry-leading commercial tools, graduates are more likely to enter the workforce with the skills necessary to be quickly productive in the fast-paced world of semiconductor technology.