Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications, Electronics and Information Technology and Railways has suggested that the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar should establish a centre of excellence (CoE) for research and development (R&D) of semiconductors. The minister also informed that the government is evaluating a proposal for a semiconductor fabrication facility by the Tata Group.
Speaking at the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Vaishnaw said that the semiconductor industry will require a million more talents in the next decade, which India can provide. This million-strong talent is part of semiconductor missions’ biggest goal and the government has already tied up with 104 universities and institutions to develop bachelor, master, and PhD-level talent.
Vaishnaw informed that Tata Group’s semiconductor fabrication unit in Dholera is under evaluation and negotiations. The project will soon be taken to the Union Cabinet for approval and the construction for the facility will start soon at Dholera.
Besides, three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) related to semiconductor and component manufacturing were signed at the event. These include an MoU between the Gujarat government and Simmtech, a South Korea-based printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing company. The company proposed to invest more than Rs 12.5 billion and generate over 1,000 direct and indirect job opportunities.
Further, another MoU was signed between Micron and Namtech, the education initiative of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, to partner on advancing the world-class talent pipeline required to propel India’s semiconductor manufacturing and missions. Another MoU was signed between Cisco and Namtech to create academic programmes focused on developing cybersecurity, networking and artificial intelligence learning.
