Seeing Assam's future: NIELIT sets 1 lakh AI trainees target

Guwahati: The National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, is set to introduce a range of new courses aimed at addressing the future needs of the tech industry over the next three years. Highlighting their strategic focus, NIELIT's Executive Director Dr. Yumnam Jayanta Singh in an exclusive interview with Business North East revealed plans to expand educational offerings in high-demand fields.
One major initiative will be targeting artificial intelligence (AI) training for students as young as grades 9-10, with a vision to position Assam as a hub for AI expertise, Singh stated.

Singh mentioned that bioinformatics will also see significant development, with new programs designed to advance skills in DNA sequencing and biotechnological applications.
Here are the excerpts: 

Business North East: Dr. Singh, how do you see today's generation of entrepreneurs, especially those who are still struggling to establish themselves in this sector?
Dr. Y. Jayanta Singh: That's a very important question, especially for the youth. It's crucial to take the business ideas we have and turn them into ventures that not only address local problems but also provide livelihoods for ourselves and those who depend on us. While many young people have the necessary skills, they often need to update themselves on the business processes required to succeed. I would suggest that scaling and refining these processes should go hand in hand. This approach will help them successfully launch their startups or other livelihood activities.

BNE: Dr. Singh, how is NIELIT addressing the skill development gap in the industry? What efforts are being made towards the development of today's youth?
NIELIT ED: At NIELIT Guwahati, we are actively collaborating with various skill sector councils, including those focused on electronics, tourism, healthcare, and more. We work closely with these councils to design and propose skill development courses tailored to the needs of both local industries and broader national and international markets.
Our approach ensures that courses meet local industry needs and national standards by aligning with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and validating with 30 industry partners. This alignment prepares students for both local and global opportunities, addressing skill gaps and supporting overall youth development.

BNE: Can you mention some of the courses offered by NIELIT Guwahati?
NIELIT ED: Certainly. We offer a range of courses, from six months to a year, such as the O level and A level courses, previously known as DOEACC. We also have a 90-hour certified course in AI, a 300-hour course in AI, data analytics courses, blockchain, and cloud computing courses. In total, we offer around 140 courses, many of which are free for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and are aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
These courses are free for SC and ST categories. However, for others, we charge a nominal fee based on the number of hours. Typically, it's around 40 to 45 rupees per hour. For example, a 90-hour course would cost approximately 3,500 rupees. We also offer discounts from time to time to support local youth in gaining new skills.
Additionally, we have introduced two significant programs. One is a four year BCA program and a two year MSc program , approved by AICTE and affiliated with Assam State University (ASTU), which we offer at five centers: Guwahati, Tezpur, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, and Kokrajhar. We are currently in the admission phase, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply. For final-year students in both BCA and MSc programs, we provide an "earn and learn" opportunity as well.

BNE: In your view, which sector in Assam is currently absorbing the most talent?
NIELIT ED: So far, the MSME sector has been absorbing the majority of talent here. This sector includes industries such as tourism, healthcare, petroleum, and other locally available activities. However, projections indicate that emerging fields like AI, semiconductors, IoT, and cloud computing will experience significant growth in the next one to two years. For instance, a semiconductor facility has already been inaugurated in Jagiroad, and it's expected to generate around 30,000 job opportunities within the next three years.

BNE: How is NIELIT Guwahati preparing today’s youth to keep pace with the technologies in leading industries?
NIELIT ED: NIELIT has been actively training in key areas like AI, IoT, and cloud computing for nearly 15 years. Initially, due to limited demand from the industry, these programs were not in high demand. However, as the industry presence grew, we began offering training in semiconductors on a smaller scale. With the industry now actively recruiting the demand for our training programs has increased significantly, potentially doubling or tripling. Currently, we have seven centers in Assam, and our capacity for scaling up is substantial. We constantly align our offerings with the needs of the local industry and the state government's projections for the next two to three years, ensuring that we meet the evolving demands at various levels.

BNE: Dr. Singh, how will NIELIT Guwahati ensure that the next generation gains meaningful employment from the courses offered? What specific employment opportunities will be showcased to them?
NIELIT ED: This initiative involves collaboration with various departments in Assam, both in the government and private sectors. At the central government level, we conduct quarterly and annual job fairs, inviting numerous industries to participate. We also gather feedback from these industries to align our training programs with their requirements for future batches. Our goal is to produce highly employable youth, and we share their résumés with our technical partners and across the NIELIT centers. Additionally, we partner with platforms like Naukri.com, JobStreet, and TimesJobs to expand their job prospects.

BNE: Could you share to our readers, which companies’ students can expect to collaborate with during their courses and potentially secure placements?
NIELIT ED: While our partnerships are not primarily focused on placements, we collaborate with several major institutions like IBM, where IBM professionals come to teach specific modules. We also partner with industry giants such as TCS and Intel. Once our students receive training from these esteemed partners and become fully competent, they will be well-equipped to secure opportunities in the industry.

BNE: AI is transforming various industries, including media, with advancements such as AI-driven robots replacing traditional reporters. How are our northeastern states adapting to this trend?
NIELIT ED: Beyond NIELIT’s initiatives, the state government is actively involved. We propose training at least one lakh youths in Assam annually, from class nine through to graduates. SEBA has also introduced AI and Robotics as vocational courses for ninth and tenth graders. This early exposure will help students in Assam keep pace with advancements seen in major cities like Guwahati and even internationally. 
Over 3,000 students have been trained specifically in AI and machine learning, which is just a fraction of the total number.  Our projection is to train around 100,000 to 200,000 students annually. If we achieve this target within the next two to three years, we will cover a significant portion of students from various levels.

BNE: Regarding local employment, how has NIELIT contributed to providing job opportunities?
NIELIT ED: While we cannot directly offer government jobs, in Assam alone, over 80 youths have been employed through NIELIT. Additionally, more than 2,000 individuals have been placed in jobs through job fairs and our connections. Some have even started their own startups; currently, we have twenty-five startups, with five directly managed by NIELIT Guwahati and the remaining 20 distributed in places like Kohima, Imphal, and Itanagar.

BNE: Have there been any new initiatives recently?
NIELIT ED: Yes, indeed. Since COVID, we have made significant updates. The syllabus has been revised and expanded, and we have introduced new courses and labs. For example, we now have bioinformatics labs, cloud computing labs, and a sophisticated cyber forensics lab where police personnel are trained. Additionally, we have smaller labs for STEM activities, such as robotics and 3D printing, designed to engage students during their vacations. We also offer courses in bioinformatics and other fields beyond traditional computer studies. Furthermore, we have trained around 1,000 police and CID personnel, as well as another 1,000 SSA teachers.

BNE: Can you share where you're sourcing the high-definition equipment for teaching students here?
NIELIT ED: We regularly develop various projects based on our needs. Currently, we're planning to set up a small semiconductor lab for bioinformatics. While these labs aren't extremely high-end, they are functional. We typically write project proposals to different ministries, including our own MEITY, and sometimes to state ministries. We also collaborate with academic partners to establish these labs. Additionally, whenever we secure a project, we create a few internal jobs, providing employment for local youth for two to three years. Once these projects are completed, many of these individuals find better opportunities elsewhere, leveraging the experience and connections gained through our programs.

BNE: Can you highlight any success stories?
NIELIT ED: Currently, we are implementing a project aimed at training 150,000 youth, and we are nearing its completion. One success story involves our efforts to enhance digital services and competency, reaching individuals from farmers to school dropouts. Many participants are finding opportunities in the BPO sector or advancing in fields like AI and IoT. For instance, four of our engineers recently secured positions with a firm in Singapore. Graduates who come to us are significantly improving their skills and are very satisfied with their progress. While there may not be a single standout success, overall, our initiatives are contributing positively to productivity in Assam.

BNE: Dr. Singh, is NIELIT Guwahati involved in the recently announced semiconductor plant in Morigaon, Assam, particularly in training students?
NIELIT ED: NIELIT Guwahati will play a crucial role as a major training partner, focusing on skill development to ensure a ready workforce for the semiconductor industry. Given the high costs and specialized nature of semiconductor technology, it's essential to provide well-trained manpower quickly. This initiative will help bridge that gap and support the industry's needs efficiently.

BNE: How has the growth and development of the institute progressed?
NIELIT ED: Indeed, there has been significant progress. When NIELIT initially started fifteen years back, our focus was primarily on providing services to specific groups, such as government employees and other sectors in need. However, we soon recognized the growing demand for digital services across various segments of society. We expanded our efforts to include online payment systems, online delivery, and virtual classes. For example, we have implemented programs to help housewives and children learn how to switch between different keyboard languages, like Assamese, Hindi, and English. We also offer training for schools and colleges on how to utilize online platforms such as Moodle, Google Talk, and Google Sheets. Our facilities are available for delivering classes, and we regularly conduct lectures to enhance digital skills for both teachers and students.

BNE: What is NIELIT Guwahati doing to support the weaker sections of society, particularly women?
NIELIT ED: We are committed to empowering the weaker sections of society through our programs. Our courses are free for SC and ST communities, and we offer special programs for women where they incur no costs. Additionally, we provide scholarships for some courses. We aim to ensure that these educational opportunities are accessible to every household. Our new initiative, "One Youth or One Home, One Skill," focuses on providing skill development facilities at the grassroots level.

BNE: What are your immediate plans for the next three years at NIELIT for today's youth?
NIELIT ED: We are preparing to launch several courses that will be in high demand. One key area is semiconductors, which will offer a range of technical job roles, from semiconductor packaging to outsourced activities. Another focus is artificial intelligence; we aim to train students from grades 9-10 to become AI experts here in Assam. This includes incorporating AI into various services and exploring areas like metaverse and augmented reality. Additionally, we are developing our bioinformatics programs to build capacity in DNA sequencing and other biotechnological applications. We encourage students to engage in internships as per National Education Policy 2020 requirements—one academic and one industry internship. This practical experience is crucial for staying competitive and meeting industry needs.