Abstract:

The rapid advancement of Nanoelectronic technologies is creating new challenges for engineering education, requiring approaches that combine solid theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on design experience. To address this need, the first edition of the FAMES European FD-SOI Design School (EFDS) was held in Grenoble, France, from January 25-30, 2026. The main objective of this design school was to provide an immersive learning environment to equip participants with advanced knowledge and practical skills in Fully Depleted Silicon on Insulator (FD-SOI) design. This one-week advanced intensive program brought together PhD students, engineers, and researchers from different European institutions. EFDS2026 was developed to help the participants understand how to use FD-SOI to develop more efficient and innovative semiconductor solutions. Participants had the opportunity to explore the full FD-SOI design flow, from transistor modeling and characterization to digital and analog/RF circuit design, including presentations on embedded non-volatile memories in advanced FD-SOI nodes and a session on the design kit. Beyond technical knowledge transfer, a central objective was the development of a structured and transferable design methodology applicable in both academic and industrial contexts. Interactive sessions, collaborative activities, and open technical discussions fostered peer learning and interdisciplinary exchange. Structured surveys revealed highly positive participant feedback. The strong balance between theoretical foundations and hands-on practice, access to advanced design tools, and direct interaction with experts in FD-SOI technology were particularly valued. Participants reported increased confidence in managing complete design flows and expressed strong interest in extended or more advanced training modules.

In light of these outcomes, EFDS has been established as an annual initiative, with future editions planned. The long-term objective is the establishment of a sustainable European training platform that strengthens collaboration across academia and research institutions and contributes to the development of highly skilled microelectronics designers. This contribution presents the pedagogical design and instructional strategy of EFDS2026, analyzes participant feedback, and discusses key lessons learned for replicating intensive, technology-focused design schools in advanced engineering domains.

Keywords:

Microelectronics, education, hands-on learning, design-based learning, FD-SOI technology, training program, professional skills development.