Corporates to adopt 100 Karnataka engineering colleges by 2025: IT Minister

In a move to boost student employability, Karnataka is planning for 100 engineering colleges in the state to be adopted by corporates, announced IT minister Priyank Kharge.

In Short

• Karnataka signs MoUs with Finland, Switzerland for tech
• Innovation ties strengthened through global partnerships
• Startups gain access to global markets, ecosystems

Karnataka is planning for 100 engineering colleges in the state to be 'adopted' by 100 corporates by the next academic year, an initiative aimed at boosting students’ employability.

This new decision was announced at the three-day Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) which concluded on Thursday, November 21, 2024, with Karnataka Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge declaring a series of transformative initiatives.

Kharge explained that this initiative addresses industry concerns about the lack of job-ready graduates due to inadequate training. To bridge this gap, the government proposed a collaborative model where corporations adopt colleges and provide specialised training.

“We’ve suggested that industries take an active role in training students, and we will provide the framework. The first phase will see 100 colleges partnered with 100 companies,” he stated.

The summit also showcased Karnataka’s pushy roadmap to cement its position as a global leader in technology and innovation.

MOTIVE BEHIND THE SUMMIT

Priyank Kharge explained the initiative stemmed from feedback from industries, such as a major automobile company that expressed concern over the lack of job-ready graduates due to insufficient training.

To address this, the government has proposed a collaborative model where corporations will adopt colleges and provide the necessary training.

“We’ve suggested they take an active role in training students, and we will facilitate the process. The framework is in progress, and they’ve committed to starting with 100 colleges,” Kharge stated.

Kharge also highlighted the Nipuna Karnataka initiative, launched in collaboration with industry giants such as IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Accenture, and the BFSI Consortium.

The programme aims to skill 1 lakh individuals within a year, equipping them with advanced capabilities to thrive in global markets. “Kannadigas will emerge as the most skilled and employable workforce in the world,” he added.

During the summit, the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to help the development of Karnataka’s defence industrial ecosystem.

Additional MoUs were inked with Finland and Switzerland, enabling startups to access international markets and innovation networks.

NEW CENTRE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

A new Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence will also be established in partnership with the IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru.

This centre will serve as a hub for startups, providing incubation spaces, AI training, and market access opportunities. “It’s a unique initiative where the IIT alumni network will collaborate with the state government to create a pioneering AI-focused centre,” Priyank Kharge said.

The summit saw the launch of 50 innovative products by startups across sectors such as clean technology, medical technology, agritech, AI, and blockchain. Many of these products were developed at K-tech Innovation Hubs and Centres of Excellence supported by the Karnataka government.

Impressively, 23 of these launches were by women-led startups, underscoring the state’s emphasis on inclusivity in innovation.

To further support the startup ecosystem, Karnataka will launch the Karnataka Startup Awards in 2025, recognising excellence in innovation, scalability, and socio-economic contributions. “This initiative will make Karnataka the first state in India to honour startups through a dedicated awards programme,” Kharge announced.

Through these initiatives, Karnataka aims to solidify its position as India’s premier tech and innovation hub, collaboration, and a skilled workforce for the future.

(With PTI inputs)