Karnataka is strengthening its focus on skill-based higher education with a new framework aimed at making students more employable, industry-ready, and prepared for future opportunities. Speaking at the Campus to Career Summit 2026 held on 15-16 May in Bengaluru, Karnataka’s Higher Education Minister, Dr. M.C. Sudhakar and Higher Education Secretary Smt. Khushboo Goel Chowdhary, outlined the state’s vision for embedding skills into higher education through a structured and scalable approach. This trilogue session was moderated by N.N Rao, Technical Advisor of KSDA.
The discussion centred on a challenge that has increasingly dominated higher education conversations across the country, the gap between academic qualifications and industry expectations. Dr. Sudhakar noted that while Karnataka has a strong higher education ecosystem with more than 4,400 colleges and 93 universities, there is a growing need to ensure that graduates possess practical skills alongside academic knowledge.
Drawing from his experience as a dental professional and educator, the minister highlighted how healthcare education combines theory with hands-on training, making graduates ready to practice from day one. He stressed that a similar approach is needed across disciplines to improve employability outcomes and strengthen industry-academia collaboration.
One of the key concerns raised by Dr. Sudhakar was the declining interest in core engineering disciplines. While emerging technologies continue to attract students, he argued that foundational engineering branches remain critical and should be strengthened through the integration of new technologies and industry-relevant skills rather than being viewed as outdated.
A major highlight of the session was the launch of Karnataka’s skilling framework, which seeks to bring greater consistency to skill development initiatives across institutions. According to Higher Education Secretary Khushboo Goel Chowdhary, the state discovered that many colleges and universities were already implementing innovative skilling programmes, but these efforts often remained isolated and were not shared across the wider ecosystem.
“We realised that several institutions were doing excellent work, but there was no common mechanism to capture, scale and institutionalise those practices,” she explained.
She identified two key objectives behind the framework: institutionalising skilling initiatives so they remain sustainable beyond CSR funding, and creating a shared repository of successful practices that can benefit institutions across the state. The framework is designed to serve as a common roadmap for universities, colleges, industry partners and government agencies working in the skilling space.
Both leaders emphasised that the framework is intended to be dynamic and evolve with changing industry requirements. Feedback from stakeholders will continue to shape future updates, ensuring that skill development pathways remain relevant and aligned with workforce needs.
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The conversation also highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation. Dr. Sudhakar said universities must increasingly function as innovation and incubation centres, helping students become job creators as well as job seekers. He pointed to Karnataka’s ongoing collaborations with organisations such as the British Council and the Asian Development Bank as examples of how partnerships can strengthen higher education outcomes.
Concluding the session, the minister expressed confidence that Karnataka’s universities are aligned with the government’s vision and ready to support the implementation of the framework. With a stronger focus on employability, industry partnerships and practical learning, Karnataka is aiming to create a higher education system that equips students with the skills needed for a rapidly evolving economy.
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