Amaravati to house dedicated Quantum, AI university campus
Amaravati, Aug 27 (TNT): The Andhra Pradesh government has approved the establishment of a dedicated Quantum and Artificial Intelligence (AI) university campus of NIELIT Deemed-to-be University in Amaravati, the state capial of Andhra Pradesh, with a proposed investment of Rs 730.70 crore over five years.
The campus will be developed on 8.5 acres and focus on Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors and other emerging deep-tech areas, integrating education, research, skilling, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the CRDA Authority chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the State Secretariat on Thursday.
The project is proposed to be funded through Government of India grant-in-aid from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
NIELIT is a Deemed-to-be University (Distinct Category) under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and the UGC Regulations, 2023. It is an autonomous scientific society under MeitY, with 56 centres and more than 700 accredited institutes across India.
Academic and advanced technology skill-development programmes are scheduled to commence from September 2026 at a temporary facility at Acharya Nagarjuna University in Guntur. This will enable students and professionals to access NIELIT programmes while the permanent campus is being developed.
The proposed campus will offer undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, diploma and executive programmes in Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication and Security, AI and Machine Learning, Data Science, Semiconductor Fabrication, Chip Design, VLSI, ATMP, Embedded Systems and High-Performance Computing.
A major component will be the Quantum Research, Innovation and Incubation Block (QRIIB), with around 1.25 lakh sq ft of built-up area.
It will house facilities for quantum computing and communication, quantum photonics, quantum security, cryogenic systems, high-performance computing, cleanroom and nano-fabrication, semiconductor technologies, chip design and VLSI, data centres, technology incubation and start-up co-working.
The infrastructure will also support technology transfer and intellectual property activities, enabling students, researchers, start-ups and industry to collaborate on emerging technologies and take innovations towards commercialisation.
The project is expected to train around 8,250 learners over five years, including 1,650 through formal degree programmes and 6,600 through non-formal skilling and certification programmes. Annual intake is expected to reach around 3,913 learners by the fifth year.
NIELIT has proposed collaborations with IIT Tirupati, IIIT Sri City, Andhra University and JNTU institutions for academic programmes, research and technology development.
The initiative is aligned with the National Quantum Mission, IndiaAI Mission and India Semiconductor Mission, besides supporting the broader objectives of Digital India, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The permanent campus will incorporate solar power generation, solar water heating, energy-efficient utilities, EV charging and scientific waste-management systems, with an objective of moving towards net-zero campus operations.
The campus will also have smart classrooms, academic and research laboratories, hostels, an auditorium, sports and recreation facilities, a guest house and supporting infrastructure, including residential capacity for 500 people.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Amaravati’s emerging identity as a hub for Quantum Technologies, AI, Semiconductors and deep-tech innovation by bringing together education, research, industry, start-ups and large-scale skilling.
TNT KM
