By Dalim Phukan<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guwahati\/Assam , Sep 2 : Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has called upon IIT Guwahati to play a greater role as a knowledge and technology partner in Assam\u2019s development and lead the technology-driven transformation of the Northeast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing the 33rd foundation day programme of IIT Guwahati at the institute premises in North Guwahati on Monday, Dr. Sarma said the significance of the premier institution extended beyond academic excellence. He said IIT Guwahati represented the aspirations of the people of Assam and the Northeast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recalling the demand for an IIT in Assam, the Chief Minister said it had been an important part of the aspirations articulated during the Assam Accord. IIT Guwahati was eventually established in 1994, 43 years after the country\u2019s first IIT was set up at Kharagpur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Sarma said the real contribution of IIT Guwahati would be measured not merely by its academic and research achievements, but by its ability to translate knowledge and technology into practical solutions to challenges confronting Assam and the Northeast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He identified advanced manufacturing, healthcare, skill development, disaster resilience, urbanisation, agriculture and emerging technologies as key areas where the institute could make a greater contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Highlighting the ongoing collaboration between the Assam government and IIT Guwahati, the Chief Minister referred to initiatives including the Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute, research in low-field MRI, surgical robotics and plant-based therapeutics, semiconductor skilling, drone-based flood response and the use of explainable artificial intelligence for alternative credit assessment of women-led enterprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Sarma said Assam’s emerging industrial landscape, particularly in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, would require sustained investment in human capital. He stressed that young people should not merely witness the arrival of new industries but should become active participants in the knowledge, technology and supply chains generated by them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emphasising sustainable development, the Chief Minister urged IIT Guwahati to contribute to flood-resilient infrastructure, scientific river management, climate-resilient agriculture, early-warning systems and improved urban planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said Guwahati and other emerging urban centres would increasingly require scientific solutions in areas such as mobility, public transport, drainage, waste management, energy efficiency and climate resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Sarma also outlined his vision of Assam’s future based on the convergence of \u201cTea, Tree and Tech\u201d, representing the state’s established economic strength, natural and biodiversity wealth, and the opportunities emerging from technology, innovation and advanced manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calling for stronger cooperation among IIT Guwahati, the state government, industries, start-ups, universities, civil society and the institute’s alumni, he expressed hope that whenever Assam faced a complex technological or developmental challenge, IIT Guwahati would be among the institutions at the forefront of finding solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chief Minister also announced that the Government of Assam would facilitate 100 scholarships for students of IIT Guwahati. He requested the institute’s Director to work out the framework for the scholarship programme so that the initiative could be taken forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Sarma said the journey of IIT Guwahati demonstrated that Assam need not remain constrained by the disadvantages of a late start. The task before the state, he said, was not merely to catch up but to build institutions and capabilities that would enable Assam to move ahead with greater confidence and speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Congratulating the IIT Guwahati fraternity on its foundation day, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the institute would further strengthen its contribution to Assam, the Northeast and the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Director of IIT Guwahati Prof. Devendra Jalihal, former directors, faculty members and students were present at the programme.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Dalim Phukan Guwahati\/Assam , Sep 2 : Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has called upon IIT Guwahati to play a greater role as a knowledge and technology partner<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":155369,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[6019,28775,23495],"class_list":["post-155368","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories","tag-assam","tag-chief-minister-dr-himanta-biswa-sarma","tag-guwahati"],"yoast_head":"\n