According to Bandung High Tech Valley (BHTV) blogsite, Synopsys, one of leading EDA supplier, gave ITB rights to use its tools in the value of US$ 155 million. EDA costs is once main problem of semiconductor design industry. Sehat Sutardja, Indonesian-origin Marvell CEO had delivered speech about how important this issue is.
Will Bandung or nearby city Cimahi be the next Bangalore or Penang?
Well, it depends how ITB can build its infrastructure to be able to make good, efficient, and reliable semiconductor design industry. A design center needs also brain power and computing power besides EDA tools. I am sure universities in Bandung and Cimahi can supply the needed engineers, but experienced engineers must be hired up also. ITB must be able to be international enough, and supported by other universities around, can be center of excellence as alternative to Bangalore and Penang. Can ITB catch up the newest technology, e.g. be a partner of Synopsys in 65 nm technology development? Can Bandung or Cimahi local government give some incentives for investors and entrepeneurs in this field?
