Guwahati, Jan 4: Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, unveiled ambitious plans to establish Assam and the Northeast as key hubs for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) and Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd. at Guwahati Railway Station, Vaishnaw outlined the government’s vision. He announced the establishment of NIELIT University in Jagiroad, which will specialize in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing education.
The university will have its main campus in Jagiroad, with 11 additional campuses planned across the region, including in Imphal, Itanagar, Agartala, and Aizawl. Vaishnaw emphasized that the initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
“The initiative aspires to make Assam-made semiconductors globally relevant, with potential applications in automobiles manufactured in countries like Germany and the U.S.,” Vaishnaw said. He added that the university would focus on electronics manufacturing, semiconductor technology, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
Highlighting the potential of the Northeast, Vaishnaw said, “Engineers from Assam already excel in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. This success inspires further investment in IT and electronics sectors in the region.” Referring to the region as the “land of Astalakshmi,” he described Assam and the Northeast as a new engine of India’s growth.
