Bengaluru | May 15, 2026
The two day Campus to Career (C2C) Summit 2026: Future Ready Universities & Colleges commenced today at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru, jointly organised by the Department of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, and Elets Technomedia Pvt. Ltd., brought together over 60 leaders, ministers, IAS officers, university heads, technology companies, policymakers, industry veterans, and academic stakeholders, to deliberate on the future of higher education, employability, skilling and innovation in Karnataka.
State Anthem & Lamp Lighting Marked the Start of the Show
The inaugural ceremony began with a prayer and the Naada Geethe, Karnataka’s state anthem, which brought the gathering to its feet and set the tone for the summit’s proceedings. For the ceremonial Lamp Lighting, dignitaries who joined included Smt. Khushboo G. Chowdhary, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka; Sri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka; Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka; Dr. Sharanaprakash Rudrappa Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, Government of Karnataka; Sri Priyank M. Kharge, Hon’ble Minister, Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka; Smt. Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka; Dr E.V. Ramana Reddy, IAS, Chairman, Karnataka Skill Development Authority (KSDA), Government of Karnataka; Mohammad Mohsin, Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education and Skill Development Department, Government of Karnataka; Smt. Kanta Naik, Chairperson, Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC), S. Bharat, IAS, Director, Commissioner of Technical Education; and Dr Ravi Gupta, Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Elets Technomedia Pvt. Ltd.
A Major highlight of the inaugural session was the launch of the Vision Framework on Karnataka’s Higher Education Journey, along with the unveiling of the special issue titled “Karnataka Futuristic Vision for Higher Education.” The publication highlights Karnataka’s roadmap for strengthening higher education through policy innovation, digital transformation, industry partnerships, research, skilling, and global collaboration.
Welcome Address by Smt. Khushboo G. Chowdhary, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka
Delivering the Welcome Address, Smt. Khushboo G. Chowdhary, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, emphasised the importance of creating an inclusive, future-focused, and industry-aligned education ecosystem capable of preparing students for emerging opportunities and evolving workforce requirements. She shared, “The summit reflects our vision to strengthen the connection between higher education and employment.” She also shared that a significant highlight of the programme will be the unveiling of the Karnataka Roadmap, which focuses on advancing research excellence, enhancing educational quality, and improving employability outcomes.
Karnata’s Vision Outlined by Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka
Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, outlined the state government’s vision, ongoing reforms, and future roadmap for transforming Karnataka into a globally competitive hub for higher education, skilling, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration.
He shared, “Karnataka is undertaking a major transformation in higher education by shifting from static, theory-driven learning to a dynamic, industry-aligned and skill-oriented ecosystem that prepares students for the rapidly evolving global job market. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah, the state is strengthening government institutions through large-scale collaborations with industry and global academic partners.
The Higher Education Department has partnered with organisations including the British Council, Microsoft, Wadhwani Foundation, FKCCI, Siemens, Smile Foundation, Schneider Electric, Suzlon, and Tata Electronics to create job-ready graduates equipped with communication skills, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, entrepreneurial thinking, and hands-on exposure to emerging technologies. Initiatives such as English Skills for Youth and Manthan are nurturing innovation and startup culture among students, while multiple Centres of Excellence are being established across government polytechnic, engineering, and degree colleges in areas such as renewable energy, automation, advanced manufacturing, and future technologies.”
Karnataka’s recent initiatives include a Suzlon-supported Centre of Excellence focused on wind energy in North Karnataka, Schneider Electric skill schools in Mysuru and Belagavi, and the proposed Centre for Invention, Innovation and Incubation Training (CIIIT), in collaboration with Tata Electronics.
With support from the Asian Development Bank, Karnataka is also pursuing a transformative ₹2,500 crore higher education initiative that includes the establishment of nine advanced Centres of Excellence across engineering colleges, alongside region-specific domain specialisations aligned to local industry needs.
The state is rapidly emerging as a preferred destination for global academic collaborations and international universities. Karnataka is welcoming globally reputed institutions such as the University of New South Wales, Australia, while Lancaster University is expected to establish its presence by 2027.
Discussions are also underway with leading international institutions, including Imperial College London for research collaborations, and another prominent UK university has already secured a Letter of Approval from the Government of India. These initiatives are expected to provide students with access to world-class education, research exposure, innovation ecosystems, and internationally recognised degrees closer to home and at significantly lower costs, positioning Karnataka as a leading global hub for higher education, skilling, and innovation.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Siddaramaiah Presented Karnataka’s Roadmap for Future-Ready Education
Sharing Karnataka’s vision for building a future-ready, globally competitive higher education ecosystem, Sri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka, stated, “Karnataka’s emergence as one of India’s most dynamic economies is deeply rooted in its long-standing investments in education, institution building, and human capital development. With a Gross State Domestic Product of ₹30.7 lakh crore, leadership in services exports, and Bengaluru emerging as one of the world’s most significant technology and innovation hubs with over 875 Global Capability Centres, the state continues to position education at the centre of its development model. Karnataka today leads the country with 66 colleges per lakh population, reflecting the scale and depth of its higher education ecosystem. However, the Government believes that access to education alone is no longer sufficient in a world being reshaped by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, semiconductor manufacturing, climate technologies, advanced healthcare, and digital transformation. The focus is now on ensuring that students are equipped with the skills, confidence, and capabilities needed to lead in the future economy, while enabling a stronger transition from campus to career.
To achieve this vision, the Government of Karnataka is driving a comprehensive agenda focused on employability, entrepreneurship, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration. Through initiatives such as Yuva Nidhi, graduates are being supported with financial assistance and modern skill development opportunities during their transition into employment. The state’s Industrial Policy, which targets the creation of 20 lakh jobs across emerging sectors, further reinforces the commitment to ensuring that economic growth translates directly into meaningful career opportunities for youth. Karnataka is also fostering stronger partnerships between government, academia, and industry through strategic programmes and collaborations with organisations such as Wipro, Azim Premji Foundation, and leading global institutions. The state’s vision is to transform universities into centres of innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, and social transformation, while building an inclusive and future-ready ecosystem that connects both rural and urban students to global opportunities and positions Karnataka as a leader in knowledge-driven growth and innovation.”
Key MoUs Signed for Education, Skilling and Employability
A major highlight of the inaugural session was the signing of multiple strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) focused on AI readiness, global exposure, employability, digital learning, financial literacy, and future workforce development across Karnataka.
SCOUT 2.0 Programme for Global Exposure
The Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), in collaboration with the British Council, launched the SCOUT 2.0 Programme, Scholars for Outstanding Undergraduate Students. The MoU was signed by Dr K G Chandrashekara, Executive Director, Karnataka State Higher Education Council; Mr Chandru Iyer, British Deputy High Commissioner; and Smt. Janaka Pushpanathan, Director, South India, British Council. The programme will provide fully funded international residential exposure to undergraduate students focused on sustainability, climate studies, communication skills, and urban planning.
AI Training Programme with Head Held High Foundation (HHF)
The Department of Collegiate and Technical Education partnered with Head Held High Foundation (HHHF) to introduce AI and emerging technology training programmes for students in government institutions. The agreement was signed by Sri. Bharath S, IAS, Commissioner, Department of Collegiate and Technical Education; Madan Padaki, Managing Trustee, Head Held High Foundation; and Pankaj Singh, CEO, Head Held High Foundation.
1M1B Green Skills and Workforce Initiative
A statewide MoU was signed between the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education and 1M1B Foundation to strengthen employability, AI awareness, green skills, and workforce readiness among students. The agreement was signed by Sri. Bharath S, IAS, Commissioner, Department of Collegiate and Technical Education, and Abhiram Natarajan, Director, 1M1B Foundation. The initiative aims to train nearly five lakh students across Karnataka over the next three years.
“Shiksha Setu AI” Digital Learning Initiative
The Department of Collegiate and Technical Education collaborated with SS Sigma Infotech Pvt Ltd to launch “Shiksha Setu AI,” an integrated digital education suite for selected government colleges and polytechnics. The MoU was signed by Sri. Bharath S, IAS, Commissioner, Department of Collegiate and Technical Education; Chaitanya Vihari Uppalapati, Director, SS Sigma Infotech Pvt Ltd; and Chintheshwar Rao, Director, SS Sigma Infotech Pvt Ltd.
Timbuckdo Partnership for Internship Opportunities
The Government of Karnataka signed an MoU with Timbuckdo Innovations Private Limited to facilitate internships, part-time jobs, and gig opportunities for students in government colleges. The agreement was signed by Sri. Bharath S, IAS, Commissioner, Department of Collegiate and Technical Education; Mythri Kumar HK, Cofounder & CEO, Timbuckdo Innovations Private Limited; and Apoorv Sharma Prasad, Cofounder & COO, Timbuckdo Innovations Private Limited.
Also Read: Karnataka to Host Campus to Career Summit 2026 on 15 and 16 May in Bengaluru
Vote of Thanks by Dr Ravi Gupta, Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Elets Technomedia
The Inaugural session concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Ravi Gupta, Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Elets Technomedia Pvt. Ltd., who highlighted, “Karnataka’s emergence as one of India’s leading innovation and education-driven states is a reflection of our sustained commitment towards building a future-ready ecosystem for students and youth. The Campus to Career Summit represents an important step in connecting higher education with employability, industry readiness, innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging career opportunities. It is encouraging to see policymakers, industry leaders, academic institutions, and stakeholders coming together with a shared vision to strengthen Karnataka’s higher education landscape and prepare our students to succeed in a rapidly evolving global economy.”
The summit will continue with leadership sessions, policy dialogues, panel discussions, industry interactions, and collaborative deliberations centred on AI-ready universities, innovation ecosystems, healthcare education, semiconductor talent development, entrepreneurship, industry-academia collaboration, and Karnataka’s Vision 2030 for future-ready higher education.
More insightful sessions and transformative discussions await participants throughout the 2 day Campus to Career (C2C) Summit 2026.
