IIT Guwahati Leads Northeast's Presence at INUP Users Meet 2024

IIT Guwahati Leads Northeast's Presence at INUP Users Meet 2024

GUWAHATI: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati proudly took part in the INUP Users Meet 2024, a prestigious national event co-organized by the INUP host institutes—Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, IIT Bombay, IIT Guwahati, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, and IIT Kharagpur—in association with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.

The INUP Users Meet provided a vital platform for innovators, experts, and stakeholders within the nanoelectronics ecosystem to exchange insights and discuss the expansion of excellence in nanoelectronics research across India. The event highlighted the achievements of the pioneering Indian Nanoelectronics User Program (INUP) and its significant role in transforming ideas into innovations.

The Hon’ble Secretary of MeitY, Govt. of India, Shri S. Krishnan, graced the event as the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address, where he emphasized the pivotal role INUP has played in advancing nanoelectronics research in India. The event also saw the presence of esteemed Guests of Honor, including Dr. R. Chidambaram, Former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India; Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Ex-Director, IIT Delhi, and Group Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani; Prof. J. Vasi, Professor Emeritus, IIT Bombay; Prof. Rudra Pratap, Vice-Chancellor, Plaksha University Mohali; and Prof. Milind Atray, Deputy Director, IIT Bombay, among others.

During his keynote address, Chief Guest Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, Govt. of India, underscored the importance of the INUP program, stating, "The Indian Nanoelectronics User Program (INUP) has become a cornerstone of nanoelectronics research in India, functioning as a national facility that is accessible to all academic and research institutions. We have made significant strides in this journey, and as we look ahead, our focus will be on enhancing our research capabilities and fostering stronger collaborations across institutions. MeitY remains fully committed to supporting this vital program, ensuring that we continue to reach new milestones in India's semiconductor and nanoelectronics sectors."

Shri Krishnan further highlighted the program's role in advancing the semiconductor mission, noting, "The INUP program represents our collective effort to drive innovation in the semiconductor field. For instance, IIT Guwahati is uniquely positioned to train the workforce that will contribute to the upcoming Tata semiconductor assembly and test facility in Assam."

Over 350 participants attended this grand event, including Chief Investigators from the six INUP institutions, experts from industry and academia, startups, and INUP users. IIT Guwahati was represented by a dedicated group of 43 participants from the Northeast region, selected across various categories such as INUP users of R&D projects, Hackathon winners, startups, and collaborating institutes.

Speaking during the event, Smt. Sunita Verma, Senior Director at MeitY, Govt. of India, highlighted how collaborations fostered through INUP will pave the way for emerging startups and facilitate nationwide knowledge transfer. Dr. Sangeeta Semwal, Scientist E from MeitY, emphasized the importance of programs like INUP, which are conducted by top IITs with state-of-the-art facilities, in providing an excellent platform for nano semiconductor researchers.

The event featured success stories from INUP users, keynote addresses by leading experts, technical sessions, poster presentations, and interactive discussions, all aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation within the nanoelectronics community. One of the event's highlights was the felicitation ceremony, where outstanding contributors to the program were recognized for their achievements.

Speaking about IIT Guwahati’s participation in the INUP program, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, stated, "IIT Guwahati is proud to be a part of the INUP initiative, which has significantly contributed to the advancement of nanoelectronics research in India. This program not only provides a national facility for institutions across the country but also serves as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration in the semiconductor domain. Our participation in this program aligns with our commitment to fostering cutting-edge research and driving technological advancements. We are working closely with our partners to push the boundaries of nanoelectronics research and contribute to India's growing prominence in the global semiconductor landscape."

Highlighting the Centre for Nanotechnology at IIT Guwahati, Prof. Dipankar Bandyopadhyay elaborated on the successful outcomes of the program, particularly in the Northeast region, where the INUP i2i program has integrated over 428 participants. Prof. Bandyopadhyay noted the significant impact this initiative has had on local research and innovation.

Prof. Akshai Kumar A.S., Head, Centre for Nanotechnology, IIT Guwahati, remarked, "This flagship initiative has benefitted budding scholars, not only in developing cutting-edge research prototypes but also in venturing into entrepreneurial activities. These efforts by young minds go beyond traditional textbook knowledge and soft teaching skills."

The INUP Users Meet 2024 underscored the importance of expanding the INUP program to more users, fostering startups, enhancing collaborations with institutions, creating employment opportunities, and boosting the burgeoning semiconductor industry in India. As the event concluded, it left a strong sense of community and shared purpose, reflecting the spirit of collaboration that INUP strives to promote.

INUP remains committed to providing access to cutting-edge nanoelectronics facilities to researchers across India, enabling groundbreaking research and technological advancements. The program continues to play a crucial role in nurturing innovation and supporting the growth of the nanoelectronics ecosystem in the country, contributing to the vision of a prosperous and developed nation—Viksit Bharat.