Industry-academia relationship needs to change

Ramesh Kunhikannan promoter and executive vice chairman, Kaynes Technology India Limited

- BY NAMRATA BIJI AHUJA

An electrical engineering graduate from the National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru, Ramesh Kunhikannan cofounded Kaynes in 1988 with a conviction that India could, on its own, build world-class electronics manufacturing capability. Today, Kaynes operates sixteen facilities in four countries.

After the company's landmark initial public offering in November 2022, Kunhikannan founded Kaynes Semicon, which has now completed India's first integrated semiconductor backend facility at Sanand, Gujarat.

In an interview with THE WEEK, Kunhikannan shares his plans, the lessons from his journey and India's semiconductor future. Excerpts:

Q What are your plans for expansion?

Right now, the focus is on stabilising operations, scaling up and building strong customer relationships. Over time, we want to move deeper into advanced packaging and specialised capabilities.

Q Do you think this venture is a model that can be replicated elsewhere in India?