In a move to strengthen higher education and skills development infrastructure, the Government of Karnataka has partnered with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between public and private institutions, ensuring that students from government colleges are not only employable but also become job creators.

Speaking at the 17th edition of 'Manthana' (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Presentation 2025) organized by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), Minister for Higher Education, Dr. M. C. Sudhakar, announced the key initiatives under this partnership. Also Read: Gold Prices in India See a Dip: Opportunity for Investment to Rise! How Much Decline Today?

Key Highlights of the Initiative

1. Establishment of Centers of Excellence (CoEs):

A Vision Group has been formed to oversee the establishment of nine Centers of Excellence across the state. These centers will be integrated with engineering and polytechnic colleges. Each CoE will dedicate:

60% of its space to common facilities for core engineering branches.

20% to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for practical training and certification.

15-20% to startups, allowing students to collaborate with entrepreneurs and foster an innovation mindset.

2. Scholarships and Equity:

In a landmark agreement to be signed on September 30, 2025, with the Azim Premji Foundation, over 37,000 girls who complete their 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in government schools and colleges will receive an annual scholarship of ₹30,000. This scholarship will support their professional studies in ITI, diploma, degree, engineering, medical, and other courses. This initiative is in addition to the existing tuition fee waiver for female students in government degree colleges.

3. Global Exposure:

Study Abroad Programs: The government is committed to providing global exposure to its students. Under the "Outstanding Undergraduate Talent" (SCOUT) program, 30 students and 6 faculty members recently visited the University of East London through the British Council, an experience that significantly boosted their confidence.Imou 360° 1080P Full HD CCTV Security Camera, Human Detection, Motion Tracking, 2-Way Audio, Night Vision, Dome Camera with WiFi & Ethernet Connection, Alexa Enabled, Up to 256GB SD Card Support

Fully-Sponsored UK Master's Courses: Under the "Karnataka Tuning Scholarship Master" program, five female students have been selected to pursue a fully-sponsored, one-year master's course in the UK, with the government and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office jointly funding ₹20 lakhs per student.

Broader Vision -

Dr. Sudhakar stated that these initiatives go beyond improving infrastructure. "They are about building confidence, providing real-world exposure, ensuring equity for female students, and making our government institutions globally competitive," he said. He emphasized that with the support of partners like ADB and the Azim Premji Foundation, the state is reimagining higher education in Karnataka.

FKCCI President M. G. Balakrishna also urged the government to establish an Incubation Center of Excellence in Dabaspete, near Bengaluru, to harness the potential of youth in emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence. Other dignitaries present at the event included Uma Reddy, Dr. I. S. Prasad, Revathi Kamath, T. Sairam Prasad, and Ramesh Chandra Lohoti. Also Read: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2025, Match 9 - Summary here is the info