Union Minister Inaugurates Indian Institute of Creative Technologies in Mumbai

Mumbai, July 18 (PTI): Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the first campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) in Mumbai on Friday, with a vision to establish more such institutions, akin to IITs and IIMs, in the future. The inauguration took place at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) premises.

Vaishnaw highlighted that IICT has collaborated with major technology giants such as Google, Meta, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, and WPP to formulate industry-specific training modules focusing on VFX, gaming, and extended reality (XR).

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, present at the event, reiterated the state government's commitment to transforming Mumbai into the global capital of the creative economy.

The Union Minister, who oversees the portfolios of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and IT, also mentioned ongoing tie-ups with four universities, alongside an existing partnership with York University. Vaishnaw emphasized the rapid establishment of the institute, describing it as a significant project for India's future, aimed at empowering youth and generating opportunities.

Expressing pride in Mumbai's selection as the host city for this flagship creative technology institution, Vaishnaw noted the metropolis's existing status as a hub of film and creativity. The minister added that the next IICT campus would be located at Mumbai's Film City, with Rs 400 crore already allocated by the Maharashtra government for its development. This upcoming facility is projected to be one of the country's most advanced, with design and planning phases expected to conclude soon.

The IICT aims to educate approximately 300 students and trainers during its inaugural year through specialized short-term and long-term courses in VFX, animation, post-production, gaming, and XR.

The inauguration also witnessed contributions from CM Fadnavis and Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar, who were present at the launch of the newly developed IICT-NFDC campus and the unveiling of the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) outcome report.

On this occasion, Fadnavis announced a dedicated Rs 150 crore fund from the state government to support the WAVES initiative and the broader creative economy, while expressing optimism for additional central support.

The Chief Minister expressed his vision for Mumbai, consolidating its position as the global center of the creative economy, with plans to hold a major biennial international event comparable to the World Economic Forum held in Davos.

Fadnavis also spoke about the success of the WAVES Index, which tracks 42 creative economy companies, noting its impressive surge in valuation from Rs 93,000 crore to Rs 1 lakh crore, reflecting the sector's rapid growth.

The event further included the inauguration of the Bharat Pavilion, a permanent museum installation at Gulshan Mahal within the NMIC campus, showcasing India's creative journey from "Shruti to Streaming." Fadnavis described this as a significant addition to Mumbai's cultural and tourism map.

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