IIT Madras training is set to give 25 young graduates from Manipur specialised exposure to semiconductor technology as the state government expands efforts to connect students with emerging employment opportunities. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh interacted with the selected candidates at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Thursday and discussed the significance of acquiring industry-oriented skills in a rapidly changing technology sector.
The interaction brought together students from minority, Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. Officials and faculty members from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras also joined the programme through video conference.
IIT Madras training focuses on semiconductor skills
The selected graduates will undergo specialised training in Semiconductor Surface Mount Technology (SMT) at IIT Madras. The programme will provide participants with practical exposure to a field that plays an important role in electronics manufacturing and the wider semiconductor ecosystem.
The initiative has been taken up through the Manipur Minorities and Economic Development Society (MOBEDS). It seeks to equip graduates with technical skills that can support employment opportunities in the electronics and semiconductor sectors.
According to the state government, 25 graduates were selected from 75 applicants following a selection process. The group includes 22 boys and three girls. The trainees come from different academic backgrounds, with their graduate discipline not serving as a restriction for participation.
The programme will run for 15 days on a residential basis at IIT Madras. This format will allow the participants to receive concentrated training while gaining direct exposure to an established technical and academic institution.
Government to cover training and travel costs
The Manipur government will bear the expenses associated with the programme, including training, accommodation and travel. IIT Madras will provide support for the training component.
Chief Minister Khemchand said the government wants the initiative to move beyond classroom learning and help young people develop skills that have direct relevance to industry requirements.
The focus on semiconductor technology also reflects the growing importance of electronics and advanced manufacturing skills in India. For the selected graduates, the programme offers an opportunity to understand a specialised area while building knowledge that could support future employment or further technical education.
Why the IIT Madras training matters
The programme comes at a time when semiconductor and electronics capabilities are receiving greater attention across India. Semiconductor manufacturing requires skilled workers across several stages, including assembly, testing, packaging and related electronics operations.
For Manipur, initiatives that connect graduates with specialised institutions can provide additional pathways into sectors beyond conventional employment options. The government has also linked the programme with the broader objective of facilitating industry placement for young people.
The 15-day course is relatively short, but officials see it as a way to introduce graduates to specialised technology and industry practices. Participants can use the exposure to understand possible career paths and identify areas where further training may be useful.
CM encourages students to use the opportunity
During his interaction with the selected students, Khemchand encouraged them to make full use of the opportunity. The meeting also gave the participants a platform to discuss the training programme before travelling to Chennai.
The involvement of IIT Madras faculty and officials through video conference added an academic component to the interaction. It also connected the state’s youth-skilling initiative directly with one of India’s leading technical institutions.
The programme has a particular focus on students from minority, OBC and SC communities. By supporting the cost of participation, the government aims to reduce financial barriers that could otherwise prevent graduates from accessing specialised training outside the state.
Manipur expands industry-linked skill development
The semiconductor initiative adds another dimension to Manipur’s efforts to improve employment-oriented skill development. Instead of limiting training to general courses, the government is exploring specialised programmes linked to sectors with growing technology requirements.
For the 25 selected graduates, the immediate objective is to complete the IIT Madras programme and gain practical knowledge of Semiconductor Surface Mount Technology. The longer-term goal is to help participants use that exposure for employment, additional training and professional development.
The initiative also highlights the importance of partnerships between state governments and premier technical institutions. As demand for electronics and semiconductor-related skills grows, such collaborations could create more opportunities for graduates seeking specialised careers.
The selected students will now prepare for their residential programme at IIT Madras, with the state government covering the major costs involved. The initiative marks a focused effort to connect young graduates from Manipur with specialised technical education and potential opportunities in the expanding semiconductor and electronics sector.
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