Karnataka signs training pact with Victoria

Karnataka on Friday signed a three-year agreement with the state of Victoria, Australia, for vocational training and skills development.Victoria’s minister for education and minister for skills and workforce-participation Bronwyn Pike, MP, termed the deal as an outcome of Union human resources minister Kapil Sibal’s visit to Melbourne in April.“In less than eight weeks, we have signed the agreement with Karnataka. This must be a government to government world record,” she said.Both the states would work together to build on the existing capability of  Karnataka’s vocational education and training workforce in areas such as leadership, management and training, deliver advanced training skills in areas such as sustainable construction and identify more partnering opportunities.An action plan would be jointly completed in the first 90 days of the three-year period.Karnataka’s minister for primary and secondary education Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said both the states would share faculty and students. Delegates from both states would explore options to expand collaboration in industries such as aviation, construction, retail, marine engineering, tourism, food processing, banking and insurance.The agreement would also focus on teacher and skills training. The government would identify the institutes to offer the courses. Short, medium or long-term courses would be rolled out depending on the suggestions given by the Karnataka government.Meanwhile, a session on higher education and skill development deliberated on potential investment opportunities in education sector. The session shortlisted sports medicine, special educational zones, aircraft maintenance, marine engineering, jewellery, food processing, chemical, mining and metallurgy and textile technology as the potential streams.Delegates opined that Karnataka should look beyond cities and direct investments to other parts of the state as well.Director-HR of Infosys TV Mohandas Pai termed the abysmal gross enrolment ratio of 13% as the biggest human resources tragedy of India. He suggested that more colleges should be set up in North Karnataka, where the pass percentage in pre-university course was lesser compared to other parts of the state.Pai also suggested that good educational institutions should be given autonomy as well as funding. He urged the government to allow more private universities. (With inputs from Suraksha P)