British Council, Karnataka Join Hands to Boost Higher Education and Skilling with Four New Programmes

The Government of Karnataka and British Council have unveiled four new programs under their MoU with KSHEC. This expansion aims to boost higher education, and language skills and ease student transitions into the workforce.

The Government of Karnataka and the British Council have unveiled four new programs following a recent MoU with the Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC). The new initiatives include the ‘Scholars for Outstanding Undergraduate Talent (SCOUT) Program by GREAT’ designed for KSHEC, ‘English Skills for Youth’ – a collaboration between the British Council and Microsoft India aimed at empowering students in Karnataka Government Engineering Colleges, ‘Capacity Building Training for International Officers’, and the inauguration of a ‘Freemium Digital Library Wall’ at Bengaluru City University.

Dr. Sudhakar M.C, Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, inaugurated these programs at the Karnataka State Higher Education Council. The event was also attended by Sri Srikar Mysore Sridhar, IAS, Principal Secretary of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka; KSHEC officials; Mr. Chandru Iyer, Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka and Kerala; Alison Barrett MBE, Director, British Council India; and Janaka Pushpanathan, Director, British Council South India.

SCOUT Programme

The SCOUT program will select a cohort of 30 students and one faculty member each from six universities, along with two KSHEC officials, for a 2-week immersive learning experience at the University of East London from November 9 to 22, 2024. The program aims to offer international exposure to students from underprivileged backgrounds, focusing on Sustainable Development Goals, Critical Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Personality Development to enhance academic excellence and innovation.

English Skills for Youth

The British Council, in partnership with Microsoft India, has launched the 'English Skills for Youth' initiative to improve the English language and communication skills of young adults aged 18-25. This program will be rolled out across 16 Government Engineering Colleges under KSHEC, benefiting 5,795 students in Semesters II and III. Participants will engage in 40 hours of self-paced coursework through the Microsoft Learning Management System (LMS) and 30 hours of in-person or blended English Practice Club sessions. The initiative aims to enhance students' English proficiency and confidence, preparing them for academic success, job interviews, and workplace scenarios.

Dr. Sudhakar M.C, Honourable Higher Education Minister, Government of Karnataka, said, “The Government of Karnataka is dedicated to strengthening educational ties with the UK through initiatives like SCOUT and 'English Skills for Youth,' providing deserving students with global exposure. Our collaboration with UK institutions fosters innovation, mobility, and future success. The launch of the Freemium Digital Library Wall at Bengaluru City University further enhances access to learning, offering valuable resources for students and faculty."

Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council, said, “Today’s partnership with the Government of Karnataka highlights our deepened partnership and shared commitment to advancing higher education. We are dedicated to enhancing language skills, improving employability, and facilitating students' transition into the workforce.”

Janaka Pushpanathan, Director South India, British Council, said, “The British Council is delighted to collaborate with the Karnataka State Higher Education Council to strengthen educational and skilling opportunities, forging stronger connections between the UK and Karnataka. The State of Karnataka and British Council together have been working on various initiatives in education and skills. The GREAT SCOUT programme represents a significant step in providing students from Karnataka with unparalleled international exposure.”

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