Karnataka to set up special committee to create industry-based curricula: Chief Minister

Karnataka has plans to set up a special committee to design and create industry-based curricula to reduce the requirement gap between academia and industry.

“We have 30,000 engineering seats remaining vacant. Those who have studied engineering are getting low salaries like ₹20,000 per month. We are thinking about how to resolve this,” Chief Minister D.K Shivakumar said on September 22 at the 50th year anniversary celebration of Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) in Bengaluru. KEONICS helped lay the foundation for Electronics City in Bengaluru.

He said it is important to make curricula more industry-oriented and focused on skills that fit the industry requirement. He said AI should not be limited to big technology companies and must reach every student, every young person, and every entrepreneur. “We are entering an era where hardware, electronics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies will become increasingly important,’’ the Chief Minister said.

He said, “KEONICS’ journey since 1976 reflects Karnataka’s larger transformation into a global technology destination. This institution set an early foundations of the State’s much-celebrated tech journey later. KEONICS has been a part of Karnataka’s journey as an innovation and technology leader. As the State looks ahead, this organisation has an important role in ensuring that technology infrastructure and opportunities reach every part of Karnataka.

“We have identified artificial intelligence, digital skilling, and the expansion of technology infrastructure ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ as key priorities for its next phase. “

According to the CM, KEONICS is making a big effort to provide technology to village children through AI-based KEO computers. “I welcome KEONICS’ initiative to prepare the children of the future. Karnataka is entering an era of AI, and technology should reach schools, students, and small entrepreneurs in rural areas,” he said.

To mark the golden jubilee of KEONICS, a new logo and a coffee-table book documenting its five-decade journey were released. A statue of R. K. Baliga, and the first chairman and managing director of KEONICS and also the founder of Electronics City, was unveiled.

Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairperson of KEONICS, said, “The organisation has strengthened its role in expanding access to technology across Karnataka. It’s over 130 training centres have trained and certified more than 1.39 lakh students between FY 2019-20 and 2025-26, while KEONICS continues to expand its IT infrastructure across regional centres.

“KEONICS played a major role in the development of Electronics City, spread across 332 acres. It has since evolved from an electronics promotion agency into a technology partner supporting the government, industry, and citizens across IT infrastructure, digital services, e-governance, skill development, and digital procurement.”

About expansion, he said, “KEONICS is expanding its technology infrastructure across regional centres.”

In Shivamogga, an IT Park Annex Phase II is being developed on 2.5 acres, while a 36-acre IT SEZ is planned as a larger technology destination. In Mangaluru, a 3.25-acre IT Park at Blueberry Hill, Derebail, is being developed. Mysuru will get a 3.48-acre IT Park. Several projects are expected to be executed in public-private partnership or DFBOT models to attract private investment.

“The corporation is expanding its role as a technology partner for government departments, covering IT consulting, system integration, software and IT services, procurement, infrastructure management, and technical workforce deployment,” he added.

Significant contributions by former chief ministers Devraj Urs and M. Veerappa Moily, and technocrat B.V. Naidu were highlighted, noting that the development of Karnataka’s technology ecosystem was built on long-term thinking and institutional commitment of many visionaries.

Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and E-Governance, said “KEONICS’ role has evolved with the State’s technology ambitions. KEONICS is not just an institution with a five-decade history. It is an important execution arm in Karnataka’s technology ecosystem. From infrastructure and IT services to skilling, digital governance, and new technology initiatives, its mandate today is about translating the State’s technology vision into outcomes on the ground.”