INSPIRE TALK - “Chips That Shape the Future: Exploring the Potential of VLSI Design”
The IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society (SSCS SBC), organized an Inspire Talk titled “Chips That Shape the Future: Exploring the Potential of VLSI Design” on 8th October 2025 at Alpha Hall.
The session began with the Tamil Thaai Vaalthu, followed by a warm welcome address by the professor OF EEE, Dr.MEENAKSHI.
The gathering then witnessed the felicitation of the chief guest, Mr. Comandur Sounderarajan Balaji, Staff Engineer, Qualcomm, Bengaluru, who was introduced as a distinguished professional in the domain of VLSI design and semiconductor technology.
Following the felicitation, Mr. Balaji delivered an insightful session on the advancements and opportunities in VLSI design, sharing his industrial experience and explaining how innovations in chip design are shaping the future of electronics and communication. The audience, consisting of second and third-year ECE and EEE students, actively participated in the interactive Q&A segment.
Later, the IEEE SSCS SBC promotional segment was conducted, highlighting the benefits of IEEE membership, opportunities for research and publication, and student activities within the SSCS society.
As part of recognizing student leadership, office bearers of the IEEE SSCS SBC were rewarded for their dedication and contributions.
The Head of the Department, Dr. R. Azhagumurugan, addressed the gathering, appreciating the efforts of the organizing team and encouraging students to participate in technical events that bridge the gap between academia and industry.
The event concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks delivered by a student representative, expressing gratitude to the management, the principal, the guest speaker, and all participants.
The session ended with the National Anthem, marking the successful completion of a highly informative and inspiring event.
Date and Time
Location
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- Alpha hall
- sri sairam engineering college
- chennai, Tamil Nadu
- India
- Starts 05 October 2025 11:30 AM UTC
- Ends 07 October 2025 11:30 AM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Mr. Comandur Sounderarajan Balaji of QUALCOMM,BENGALURU
Chips That Shape the Future: Exploring the Potential of VLSI Design
The guest speaker, Mr. Comandur Sounderarajan Balaji, Staff Engineer at Qualcomm, Bengaluru, delivered an engaging and insightful session on the topic “Chips That Shape the Future: Exploring the Potential of VLSI Design.”
Mr. Balaji began his talk by introducing the evolution of VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) technology and its pivotal role in shaping modern electronic systems. He emphasized how advancements in semiconductor technology have revolutionized industries ranging from communication and healthcare to artificial intelligence and automotive systems.
He shared valuable insights into the chip design process, including stages such as design architecture, simulation, verification, and fabrication, illustrating how innovation and precision drive each phase. The speaker also discussed the challenges faced in the VLSI industry, such as power optimization, miniaturization, and design complexity, and how engineers are addressing them through cutting-edge tools and methodologies.
Mr. Balaji highlighted the career opportunities available in the semiconductor and electronics sectors, motivating students to strengthen their fundamentals in digital electronics, CMOS design, and HDL programming. He also encouraged students to participate in IEEE activities, technical projects, and research initiatives to stay connected with emerging technologies.
Throughout the session, the speaker interacted enthusiastically with the audience, answering their queries and sharing his personal experiences from the industry. His talk inspired students to think creatively and to pursue careers that contribute to the growing field of VLSI design and semiconductor innovation.
Biography:
Mr. Comandur Sounderarajan Balaji is a highly accomplished Staff Engineer at Qualcomm, Bengaluru, with extensive expertise in VLSI design, system memory management, and low-power design methodologies. With nearly a decade of professional experience in the semiconductor industry, he has contributed significantly to the development of System Memory Management Units (SMMU) and Qualcomm’s in-house Translation Control Units (QTC) through advanced RTL and formal-based design approaches.
Before joining Qualcomm in 2020, Mr. Balaji worked at Intel Corporation, where he played a key role in PMIC and 5G modem design, focusing on power intent creation, validation, and low-power implementation. He began his career at SanDisk, contributing to SoC integration and low-power automation methodologies.
Mr. Balaji holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), USA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Sri Sai Ram Engineering College, Chennai.
Throughout his career, he has demonstrated deep technical competence in SystemVerilog, ARM MMU, UPF, functional safety (ISO26262), and formal verification techniques. His passion for innovation and mentoring young engineers makes him an inspiring figure in the field of VLSI and semiconductor design.