British Council with Government of Karnataka Launches Four New Programmes to Enhance Higher Education and Skilling Initiatives

• Karnataka State Higher Education Council and British Council today launched four key programmes, to expand India-UK educational ties
• Government of Karnataka and British Council’s GREAT initiative announce SCOUT programme, selecting 30 students for an immersive learning experience in November 2024
• British Council and Microsoft India introduce ‘English Skills for Youth’ Programme in Karnataka’s Government Engineering Colleges

Bengaluru : The Government  of Karnataka and British Council, UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural exchange, has announced the launch of four new programmes under the recently signed MoU with KSHEC on 26^th February 2024 – ‘Scholars for Outstanding Undergraduate Talent (SCOUT) programme by GREAT’ for the Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), ‘English Skills for Youth’ an initiative by British Council and Microsoft India to empower students in Karnataka Government Engineering Colleges, ‘Capacity Building Training for International Officers’, and a ‘Freemium Digital Library Wall’ inauguration at Bengaluru City University. This announcement marks a significant step in expanding the partnership, aiming to advance higher education, enhance language proficiency, improve employability, and create a seamless transition for students into the workforce.

These programmes were launched by Dr. Sudhakar M.C, Honourable Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka at the Karnataka State Higher Education Council, on Tuesday 10 September. Also present were Sri Srikar Mysore Sridhar. IAS, Principal Secretary, HED, Govt of Karnataka, KSHEC officials, Mr. Chandru Iyer, Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka and Kerala, Alison Barrett MBE, Director India British Council and Janaka Pushpanathan, Director South India British Council.

Announcing the launch of the SCOUT programme, the KSHEC will select a cohort of 30 students, which include 5 students and one faculty member each from Bangalore University, Bengaluru City University, Gulbarga University Kalaburgi, Raichur University, Tumkur University, and Rani Channamma University, along with 2 KSHEC officials, to participate in a 2-week immersive learning experience at the University of East London from 9^th – 22^nd November 2024. This programme aims to provide deserving students from less privileged backgrounds with valuable international exposure, fostering academic excellence, innovation, and research skills, while empowering them to contribute positively to their communities and future careers. Some key themes identified for this programme include Sustainable Development Goals, Critical Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Personality Development.

In addition to this, ‘English Skills for Youth’ initiative was launched by the British Council, in partnership with Microsoft India, aiming to enhance the English language and communication skills of young adults aged 18-25. The programme will be implemented across 16 Government Engineering Colleges under the KSHEC, benefiting 5,795 students in Semesters II and III. Students will complete 40 hours of self-paced coursework via the Microsoft Learning Management System (LMS), supplemented by 30 hours of

in-person or blended English Practice Club sessions. This initiative is designed to boost students’ confidence and proficiency in English, equipping them with vital skills for academic success, job interviews, and workplace scenarios.

Furthering its commitment to internationalisation, the British Council and Government of Karnataka have also announced the Capacity Building for International Officers programme where the KSHEC has shortlisted 28 universities and over 56 participants for this workshop designed to bolster the internationalisation efforts of Indian universities. The programme will offer modules to develop the skills and effectiveness of international officers, promoting knowledge sharing and practical outcomes to support the overall internationalisation agenda of participating institutions.

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. We look forward to expanding these partnerships for Karnataka’s talent development.”

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. It stands as a testament to our mutual commitment to broadening educational opportunities and driving meaningful, positive change through our collective efforts. Such programmes will promote mutual understanding and create a platform for knowledge-sharing across borders.”

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. Initiatives like ‘English Skills for Youth’ and the Capacity Building for International Officers programme will enhance employability in the State and create systemic change in the HE ecosystem in Karnataka. The Freemium Digital Library Wall further exemplifies our commitment to enhancing access to high quality resources for all.”

In conjunction with these efforts, the Freemium Digital Library Wall was launched by the Honourable Minister for Higher Education, Govt. of Karnataka, at Bengaluru City University, offering faculty and students access to freemium layer of digital content. This launch showcases the commitment to expanding educational resources and enhancing learning opportunities.