Mahindra University Launches India's Second HackerFab in Hyderabad

Mahindra University in Hyderabad announced on Thursday the launch of India’s second HackerFab, a student-led open-source semiconductor fabrication facility aimed at strengthening the country's technical talent in semiconductor manufacturing.

The initiative is the first university-sponsored, student-led open-source semiconductor fabrication facility in India. It follows the establishment of the country's first student-led HackerFab at IIT Bombay.

Based on the open-source HackerFab model, the facility will enable students to design and develop low-cost fabrication tools for education and research. The program is designed to build indigenous skills and technical capabilities by giving students practical, first-hand exposure to semiconductor fabrication processes.

Mahindra University Chancellor Anand Mahindra emphasized the importance of experimental learning in building technical capabilities. “Every great Indian innovation started with someone taking something apart to see how it worked. HackerFab gives students a license to do exactly that. To fail loudly, fix it, try again, no permission needed. That is how you build a generation unafraid to build,” Mahindra said.

Mahindra University Vice Chancellor Dr. Yajulu Medury noted that meeting India’s semiconductor goals requires engineers who possess a practical understanding of both design and manufacturing. He stated that the initiative takes learning directly into the lab, where students will construct equipment, test ideas, and gain first-hand experience with the fabrication process.