Tribal Research Information, Education, Communication, and Events (TRI-ECE) Initiative Overview
Under the central sector scheme TRI-ECE 2023-24, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has assigned the project “Semiconductor Fabrication & Characterization Training for Students from Tribal Communities” to the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). This initiative aims to provide 2,100 National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) certified training sessions in semiconductor technology to tribal students over a span of three years, targeting levels 6.0 and 6.5.
Training Details
The Ministry, in collaboration with IISc, plans to deliver basic training to 1,500 tribal students and advanced training to 600 tribal students in semiconductor technology. Eligible candidates are tribal students who have a degree in an engineering field.
IISc, Bengaluru, along with other established Nano centers by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), offers training in semiconductor technology. This program, unique for its focus on tribal communities, represents the first such initiative by MoTA.
India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)
The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), an independent division within the Digital India Corporation, is responsible for formulating and driving long-term strategies for semiconductor and display manufacturing, as well as for semiconductor design in India. ISM aims to establish India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design, coordinating efforts to promote the semiconductor and display industry comprehensively.
The government has allocated INR 76,000 crore to the Semicon India programme to develop the semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem. This programme has been updated to address global competitive pressures and the limited number of advanced node technology companies.
Collaboration Details
The partnership between MoTA and IISc will support tribal artisans and producers by providing comprehensive support including ideation, funding, incubation, branding, marketing, and market access. The collaboration will establish a semiconductor training unit offering NSQF-certified training in semiconductor technology to tribal students. The program will be job-oriented, with the potential to offer high-paying industry placements to the top 200 students.
Context and Additional Support
The semiconductor industry is expected to generate significant job opportunities in the coming years, supported by the ISM’s strategic goals. The PM-JANMAN scheme, with a budget of around INR 24,000 crore, focuses on improving the socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and complements this initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When was the semiconductor training project announced?
The project was announced on August 8, 2024, by the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs in a Lok Sabha reply.
2. What is an NSQF certification?
The National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) categorizes qualifications into levels based on knowledge, skills, and aptitude, ranging from levels 1 to 10. This framework ensures competency-based skill development and global recognition of qualifications.
3. Why are semiconductors important?
Semiconductors are crucial for modern technology, forming the basis of electronic devices such as mobile phones, computers, and other computing appliances. They are essential to many aspects of daily life.
4. Who can apply for the semiconductor training program?
The program is open to tribal students who hold a degree in any engineering discipline.
5. What is the vision behind the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)?
ISM aims to build a robust semiconductor and display design and innovation ecosystem, establishing India as a leading global hub for electronics manufacturing and design.
6. What is the ultimate goal of ISM?
The goal is to create significant job prospects in the semiconductor industry, aligning with ISM’s broader objectives.
7. What does the MoTA-IISc collaboration entail?
The collaboration will offer tribal artisans and producers support in various areas including ideation, funding, and market access, through a semiconductor training program at IISc.
8. What is the outline of the training program?
The training program, established by MoTA and IISc, will include a semiconductor technology course offering NSQF-certified training at levels 6.0 and 6.5 over three years. The program is designed to provide advanced, job-oriented training for 200 students with high industry placement potential.
