Prime Highlight
- Karnataka and the UK are working together to expand higher education collaborations, including faculty exchanges, joint research, and twinning programmes.
- Initiatives such as hosting the MRCP exams in Karnatakaand expanding Chevening and SCOUT scholarships aim to make international education more accessible for students.
Key Facts
- Karnataka ministers are engaging with UK institutions like the University of Liverpool, University of Wolverhampton, and University of Cambridgeto enhance opportunities in healthcare research and sustainable initiatives.
- Current schemes include Chevening Scholarships for 5 studentsand the SCOUT programme supporting 30 students from Karnataka.
Background
Karnataka and the UK will strengthen their relationship in higher education by developing new programmes and collaborations. The governments are working on the expansion of already existing schemes such as Chevening Scholarships, which is presently sponsoring five students of Karnataka, and the Scholars for Outstanding Undergraduate Talent (SCOUT) programme that finances 30 students.
The Karnataka ministers for higher education, M C Sudhakar, and medical education, Sharan Prakash Patil, are in London to hold bilateral talks organized by the British Council. Discussions with Professor Sir Steve Smith, the UK government’s international education champion, focused on expanding opportunities such as faculty exchange, joint research, and twinning programmes.
M C Sudhakar said that Harrow School is already present in Bengaluru, and the University of Liverpool is already setting up its campus in the city. He mentioned that talks are ongoing with more institutions, saying such initiatives will allow students to pursue international degrees at lower costs while enhancing competitiveness in education.
A significant suggestion is to conduct the Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP) exams in Karnataka. This postgraduate qualification is now being pursued by medical graduates in the UK. The shift will make it easier and can accommodate the increased number of medical students in the state.
The ministers also discussed collaboration with the University of Wolverhampton and the University of Cambridge, and in particular, research in healthcare, mobility of students, and sustainable initiatives such as healthcare decarbonisation.
Professor Sir Steve Smith praised Karnataka as a pioneering state in education and said, “The long-term goals of the UK and Karnataka align as we face rapid technological changes. We look forward to working closely to give young people the skills they need for the future.”
