The All India Council for Technical Education's month-long SAMARTHAN: Internship Connect Programme officially commenced on the campus of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Saloh village, Una. A total of 87 students from various parts of the country have enrolled in the 30-day internship, which aims to provide academic and research exposure to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana (PM-USPY), a flagship initiative of the Union Ministry of Education.
Programme Overview and Objectives
According to a press release issued by IIIT Una, the internship is designed to immerse students in cutting-edge research across emerging and interdisciplinary domains. Participants will work on projects covering artificial intelligence and machine learning, internet of things (IoT), low-power very large scale integrated (VLSI) design, quantum computing, signal processing, data science, federated learning in healthcare, AI in education, biomedical signal processing, biotechnology and bioinformatics, particle physics, and mathematical modelling of cyber attacks.
Hands-On Experience and Tools
Interns will gain practical experience with modern tools and platforms, including Python, R, MATLAB, and Simulink. This hands-on approach is intended to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, preparing students for advanced research or industry roles.
Director's Welcome and Encouragement
Prof Manish Gaur, Director of IIIT Una, welcomed the interns and underscored the value of academic institutions as premier internship destinations. He encouraged participants to embrace new challenges, perspectives, knowledge, and professional connections throughout the programme. According to the press release, Prof Gaur stated, "I encourage participants to embrace new challenges, perspectives, knowledge and professional connections during the programme."
Significance of PM-USPY
The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana (PM-USPY) is a central government scheme aimed at supporting higher education for meritorious students from economically weaker sections. The SAMARTHAN internship is one of several initiatives under this umbrella to enhance employability and research aptitude among beneficiaries.
Broad Impact and Future Prospects
The internship not only provides technical skills but also fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, which is increasingly vital in modern research. With participants working on topics ranging from quantum computing to biomedical signal processing, the programme is expected to contribute to India's growing footprint in advanced technology research. The exposure to IIIT Una's facilities and faculty expertise is likely to open doors for further academic pursuits or career opportunities in these high-demand fields.
