Goa is on its way to becoming a startup and innovation hub with help from the Centre and the soon to be launched, C2S (Chips to Startup) flagship programme
Goa will soon be launching the C2S (Chips to Startup) flagship programme in various colleges through the National Institute of Technology (NIT) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), with the government giving its sanction for the next five years.
IT Minister Rohan Khaunte said, “In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s plans to transform India into the next semiconductor hub, the Ministry of Electronics and Information has sought applications from 100 academia, R&D organisations, startups and MSMEs under C2S. From Goa, NIT and IIT have applied for it and have been accorded sanction.”
Khaunte on a recent visit to Delhi met up with Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and held a detailed discussion on the program. The program was immediately sanctioned by the Central Government. The IT minister further stated that the Government will provide ‘Har Ghar Fibre’ by 2024 in the State.
Khaunte elaborated on the flagship programme. “TheC2S aims to train 85,000 high-quality and qualified engineers in the area of very large-scale integration (VLSI) and embedded system design as well as result in development of 175 ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), working prototypes of 20 systems on chips and IP core repository over a period of 5 years. This will be a step towards leapfrogging in the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) space by way of inculcating the culture of System and Organization Controls (SoC)/System Level Design at Bachelors, Masters and Research level and act as a catalyst for growth of startups involved in fabless design.”
Khaunte stressed on the importance of technology stating that Goa needs to be in the technological sphere. He appealed to the students to make the best possible use of resources and tune up in line with technology which will create a boost in this sector.
The Minister said that during covid times the Government was made aware of the issue of connectivity in remote areas of state; which it took as an opportunity to think differently and became a facilitator in making resources available. Khaunte further announced that Goa will start its first 3D printer this month.
Khaunte presided over a function for distribution of laptops to meritorious students from the scheduled castes and scheduled tribe communities who have passed standard tenth and twelfth in 2021-22.
At the function held at ESG auditorium along with Khaunte, chairman of Infotech Corporation of Goa and MLA Dr. Chandrakant Shetye, IT secretary Sanjeev Ahuja, director IT Praveen Volvotkar and Tribal Welfare director Triveni Velip handed over laptops to 172 meritorious students of SC/ST communities.
CENTRE LENDS SUPPORT TO TURN GOA INTO A STARTUP AND INNOVATION HUB
In a bid to turn Goa into a startup and innovation hub, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the Centre will take all measures to expand economic opportunities in Goa that will help diversify its economy, turn it into a startup and innovation hub and also ensure its sustainable development. Further, Chandrasekhar spoke on the importance of expanding skilling opportunities for the young through skill hubs and Atal Tinkering labs, and bringing in more industries to the State. He further pointed out that the IT sector in India, unlike other big nations, has not been impacted by covid-19 pandemic as much and those returning to Goa after losing IT jobs abroad will find work in the country as there is a talent shortage in the country.
Chandrasekhar mentioned that the Ministries of Electronics and IT, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship along with the Goa government would explore the possibility of setting up a Centre of Excellence for startups at the District Hospital South Goa.
Chandrasekhar met State IT Minister, Rohan Khaunte and discussed about the growth of IT opportunities in the state. Promoting Goa as a potential hub for startups and innovation, the Centre will now focus on the diversification of the state economy. They will also cater to the expansion of skill enhancing opportunities.
Besides up-skilling programmes, more industries will be established in Goa in order to provide a boost to the employment sector. This will also include the establishment of an efficient IT sector in the state, which will further prove to be beneficial for Goan individuals returning to the state after losing IT jobs abroad due to recession and other reasons. As per plans, the state’s medical sector can expect an improvement. For this, the administration will explore the possibility for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for MedTech and AI-oriented startups. This will further prove to be beneficial for monitoring and upgrading all health centres across the state.
