Bhubaneswar, December 17: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the establishment of a ₹400 crore Centre of Excellence in Semiconductor Materials and Devices at IIIT Bhubaneswar. This initiative aligns with India's National Semiconductor Mission and will focus on research, innovation, and industry collaboration in semiconductor design and manufacturing.

The announcement was made during the valedictory session of Indocrypt 2025, India’s premier international conference on cryptography and information security, hosted by IIIT Bhubaneswar. Majhi emphasized the state's commitment to advanced technologies, especially in cyber security, digital governance, and cutting-edge research to foster sustainable development.

Majhi also outlined plans for enhancing IIIT Bhubaneswar’s infrastructure, including the development of a Student Activity Centre, a central auditorium, and state-of-the-art research labs. A sports complex will be built to promote student well-being, while a new Centre for e-Governance and Digital Capacity Building will focus on areas like AI, cyber security, and renewable energy micro-grids.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that IIIT Bhubaneswar will become a global leader in education, research, and innovation. He was joined by Electronics and IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling, who underscored the importance of cybersecurity for India’s socio-economic growth.