S. Vishnu Sharma
IIT Guwahati proudly took part in the INUP Users Meet 2024, a prestigious national event.
The event was co-organized by the INUP host institutes — IISc Bangalore, IIT Bombay, IIT Guwahati, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur.
Program was organized in association with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
Vital Platform
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, say sources from IIT Guwahati.
The event highlighted the achievements of the pioneering Indian Nanoelectronics User Program (INUP) and its significant role in transforming ideas into innovations.
Chief Guest
Secretary of MeitY, Government of India, S. Krishnan was the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address, where he emphasized the pivotal role INUP has played in advancing nanoelectronics research in India.
He underscored the importance of INUP program. The Indian Nanoelectronics User Program (INUP) has become a cornerstone of nanoelectronics research in India.
It is functioning as a national facility that is accessible to all academic and research institutions, said the chief guest.
‘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, he said.
Collective Effort
‘The INUP program represents our collective effort to drive innovation in the semiconductor field,’ said the chief guest.
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, he said.
Participation And Presence
The event witnessed the presence of 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 were also among others present.
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.
From MeitY
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.
Success Stories
The event featured success stories from INUP users, keynote addresses by leading experts, technical sessions, poster presentations, and interactive discussions, say sources from IIT Guwahati.
They 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, say sources from IIT Guwahati.
Director of IIT Guwahati
Director of IIT Guwahati Prof spoke about the institution’s participation in the INUP program.
IIT Guwahati is proud to be a part of the INUP initiative, which has significantly contributed to the advancement of nanoelectronics research in India, he said.
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, said IIT Guwahati director.
‘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, said IIT Guwahati director.
Center For Nanotechnology at IIT Guwahati
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.
Budding Scholars
Prof. Akshai Kumar A.S., Head, Centre for Nanotechnology, IIT Guwahati said 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, said Prof Akshai Kumar of IIT Guwahati.
Importance
INUP Users Meet 2024 underscoCred 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, say sources from IIT Guwahati.
As the event concluded, it left a strong sense of community and shared purpose, reflecting the spirit of collaboration that INUP strives to promote.
Access
INUP remains committed to providing access to cutting-edge nanoelectronics facilities to researchers across India, enabling groundbreaking research and technological advancements.
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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.