Karnataka Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday said 100 engineering colleges are set to be "adopted" by an equal number of corporates by next year, as the government makes efforts to rope in industries to boost the employment prospects of students. Citing an example, he quoted a big automobile company as saying that it is ready to provide jobs but students are not employable as they lack training.

"So, we suggested to them to give training. We will create an environment for it. Taking a practical approach, they have asked us to provide a framework. So, 100 colleges will be adopted by 100 corporates or GCCs (Global Capability Centres) working in Karnataka as a start probably by next academic year. They have given a commitment," he said.

He claimed that with the recently launched 'Nipuna Karnataka' initiative, Kannadigas will be the "most equipped, most well trained, with the best of skill sets, and the most employable youth in the world."

"The launch of Nipuna saw collaborations with IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, BFSI Consortium and Accenture to drive skilling and workforce transformation. Through these MoUs, Karnataka will train 1 lakh trainees in a span of one year," Kharge said.

Kharge said at the three-day Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS), which concluded on Thursday, a Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) was signed between Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka and DRDO on co-operation and promotion of defence industrial ecosystem of Karnataka.

MoUs were also signed with Finland and Switzerland, strengthening ties in innovation and technology, and ensuring that startups gain access to global markets and the ecosystems of these countries, the minister said.

He said a new centre of excellence in AI would be established with IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru. "The centre will give incubation space to startups, skill and train in AI and ensure they get market access."