On Saturday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urged graduates from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) to come together for the betterment of the nation, coinciding with the signing of several agreements between the state and the PanIIT network, which is comprised of approximately 500,000 IIT alumni. A key outcome of this collaboration is the formation of the PanIIT Amaravati Council.
During his address at the conclusion of the two-day PanIIT summit, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of harnessing the innovative and sometimes disruptive ideas that IIT graduates can contribute. “For the purpose of nation-building, it is essential for all IITians to unite. We must create a network. Take a moment, whether it’s five minutes or an hour, to think about your country’s needs,” Naidu encouraged.
Naidu further expressed his confidence in the potential impact of collaborating with such a talented group: “With the support of these 500,000 brilliant minds, the possibilities of what we can achieve are limitless.”
The agreements signed include initiatives such as establishing ten industry chairs at universities in Andhra Pradesh and creating a network of 100 mentors for startups. Additional agreements cover technology transfer from IITs and the development of a deep tech policy package. During this event, Naidu also announced the Amaravati PanIIT Declaration.
He revealed plans for the establishment of the PanIIT Amaravati World Council in the new capital city, along with a significant investment of Rs 500 crore for the PanIIT Amaravati Deep Tech Venture Fund. Following discussions with venture capitalists earlier that day, Naidu committed to matching their investments in local startups if they bring in capital and mentorship.
Moreover, the Chief Minister announced the creation of an IIT Research Park in Amaravati and emphasized that the leading institutions will provide mentorship to state universities, establishing Centres of Excellence (CoE) in each institution. He also introduced plans for a student exchange program and stated that skills in artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship will be integrated into the curriculum from the sixth grade onward in Andhra Pradesh.
In a notable highlight, Naidu unveiled five Q-Shiva quantum computers produced in Amaravati, along with the release of the Shrusti processor and a children’s book designed to foster interest in quantum computing. He pointed out the global focus on Silicon Valley and encouraged the shift in discourse towards the Quantum Valley in Amaravati, announcing that the first quantum computer is set to be operational in the capital by February 3, 2027.
Naidu spoke to the capabilities of Indians and stressed the necessity for collaborative efforts, outlining various industrial and technological initiatives in Andhra Pradesh, which include plans for a space city, a drone city, a defense corridor, and an aerospace corridor across different regions of the state. He highlighted the state’s ambitious plans for semiconductor manufacturing in Tirupati and noted the achievements so far while emphasizing the need for continued progress.
Additionally, the Chief Minister identified a water grid as a crucial requirement for India, proposing the interlinking of the Ganga and Cauvery rivers, which should be preceded by the interlinking of the Godavari and Cauvery rivers.
