THE AMAN SANDESH TIMES
Chandigarh :
On January 3, 2025, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Railways, and Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, virtually launched NIELIT Deemed to be University, which has its main campus in Ropar and 11 constituent units located in Aizawl, Ajmer, Agartala, Aurangabad, Calicut, Gorakhpur, Imphal, Kohima, Patna, Itanagar, and Srinagar. The virtual launch ceremony was graced by Shri Lakshman Acharya, Governor of Assam, and Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, along with other distinguished dignitaries.
The launch was attended by Shri Dinesh Kumar Chadha, MLA of Ropar, Additional District Commissioners from Ropar, academicians from nearby institutions, and students and faculty of NIELIT Deemed University. With its new status as a deemed university, NIELIT now enjoys greater autonomy and flexibility to develop and offer industry-focused programs that address the dynamic needs of both industry and society. This status fosters stronger collaborations with top academic institutions and industry leaders, enhancing educational opportunities and improving employability for graduates. This recognition marks a milestone in NIELIT’s legacy and positions the institution to contribute significantly to the technological advancement and future growth of the nation.
In his address, Shri Lakshman Acharya, Governor of Assam, praised the initiative, emphasizing its potential to benefit the nation’s youth. He highlighted that NIELIT University would offer learning opportunities in emerging fields like cybersecurity, blockchain technology, and semiconductor manufacturing, which will help drive India’s technological leadership.
Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw congratulated the MPs and MLAs attending the launch from various NIELIT campuses and underscored that NIELIT is now the first and only MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) organization to achieve Deemed to be University status. He stressed the university’s role in preparing students for a future-ready workforce, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He added that this initiative will bridge the gap between academia and industry, empowering colleges to equip students with the skills needed to face future challenges. This achievement is a significant step toward realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a digitally empowered and skilled India, while also contributing to the government’s initiatives such as Digital India and Make in India.
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam emphasized the importance of the launch, stating that technological evolution would play a crucial role in elevating India to developed nation status.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Prof. (Dr.) M.M. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor of NIELIT Deemed University, and Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Electronics. The MoU signifies a strong commitment to combining industry expertise with academic excellence for transformative education and skill development.
Starting from the 2024-25 academic session, NIELIT’s Ropar campus will offer a variety of programs, including PhD degrees in three areas, five M.Tech programs (in IoT and Sensor Systems, Automotive Electronics, Cyber Forensics & Information Security, Data Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence), a B.Tech program in AI and ML, an MSc (specializing in Data Science), an MCA, and a three-year Diploma in Computer Science and Engineering. More programs will be introduced in the next academic session.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. (Dr.) M.M. Tripathi, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, stakeholders, and attendees for their support and participation. He thanked Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw for his continuous support to NIELIT in bridging the gap between industry and academia and assured that NIELIT will work relentlessly to fulfill the expectations of the nation.
