The College of Engineering Pune (CoEP) Technological University is gearing up to launch hands-on training in electronics manufacturing through its Centre of Excellence in Advanced Electronics Manufacturing (CoEAEM) starting October 2024. This initiative, inaugurated in September 2023, will cater not only to engineering students but also to those pursuing higher and vocational education, with an expected annual enrollment of 400 to 500 students.

Shrinivas Mahajan, Head-Centre, emphasised that the facility aims to equip participants with skills in electronics manufacturing, interdisciplinary research, and prototyping, ultimately creating industry-ready talent for the Pune region.

“The CoEAEM will serve the training needs of not only Maharashtra but also western India,” said Sunil Bhirud, Vice-Chancellor, CoEP Technological University. Training will focus on surface mount technology (SMT), which involves mounting components onto printed circuit boards.

Mahajan highlighted the centre’s significance as only the second academic facility of its kind in India, following IIT Chennai, and noted that it aims to address the growing demand for skilled manpower in SMT line production. The CoEAEM will also support startups and small-to-medium electronic manufacturing firms in developing prototypes, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. 

The centre features a dedicated management team of eight, comprising faculty and industry experts, and aims to provide advanced training in accordance with the New Education Policy and the 'Skill India' initiative. Collaborating with organisations such as Saarthi, Barti, and Maha Jyoti, the centre is working to maximise outreach for student admissions. Mahajan also mentioned that partnerships with the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, Pune, are helping to inform local industries about the training opportunities available.

Future expansion plans for the centre include the addition of wave soldering and X-ray inspection capabilities, enabling comprehensive training on multilayer PCB inspection. Mahajan noted that while current technology allows for external assessment, the upcoming enhancements will facilitate internal evaluations as well, although this development will take time.

As India’s electronics market continues to grow rapidly, the government is focused on tackling unemployment by generating jobs in the electronics manufacturing sector. The CoEAEM was established with the support of industry leaders and CoEP alumni to meet this urgent demand for skilled workers. Significant contributions from companies such as MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, Jabil Circuit India, and Bajaj Auto Ltd. were instrumental in the centre's establishment.

 (Hindustan Times)