Committed to Making India a Chip Manufacturing Hub and Preparing a Skilled Workforce: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Centre government is determined to make India the most sought-after destination for the production of semiconductors while simultaneously creating a robust skilled workforce, catering to the fast-changing requirements of the sector, Union Railways and Electronics and IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw said here on Friday.

Inaugurating the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), deemed to be a university at 12 locations including five locations in the northeastern states, the minister said that the university will play a crucial role in equipping students with necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly changing technological environment.

He added now the meaning of northeast is "New Engine", to lead the development and growth of the country.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed between NIELIT and Tata Electronics Private Ltd (TEPL) at the event to collaborate and enhance the semiconductor skilling ecosystem in India. The MoU was signed by Dr M.M. Tripathi, Director General, NIELIT and Dr Randhir Thakur, CEO and MD, TEPL. This partnership will set up skill centers, develop diploma and certification programs, and conduct workshops in semiconductor ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging) technologies.

According to the government, TEPL would provide technical services and internship and NIELIT would concentrate on education, training, and outreach. Both will also pursue jointly research and funding initiatives with a special focus on creating opportunities in the northeastern region, it said.

The minister declared the launch of NIELIT University, emphasizing that it has been inspired by the vision of the Prime Minister to prepare professionals in cutting-edge fields such as Semiconductor Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Industry 4.0, and Quantum Computing. Vaishnaw said that the new campus of NIELIT will be developed in Jagiroad town near Guwahati which will focus on semiconductor manufacturing and electronics manufacturing.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a future where the entire world will rely on semiconductor chips that are “Made in India” and “Made in Assam.” He emphasised the significant potential for the semiconductor industry to thrive in the region, highlighting the necessity for a skilled workforce and trained manpower to support this growing sector.

This underlined the commitment to fostering local talent and creating job opportunities, ensuring that Assam plays a pivotal role in the global technology landscape," said Sarma.