CM Shivakumar hails Karnataka-US ties, seeks stronger collaboration in innovation
Bengaluru, Aug 7 (IANS) Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday, speaking in the presence of US Ambassador Sergio Gor, praised US-Karnataka relations and emphasised the city’s growing importance as a technology and innovation hub and its deepening ties with American companies and institutions.
Speaking at the inauguration of the QUANTUM exhibition at Science Gallery Bengaluru, the Chief Minister said Bengaluru is home to more than 1,000 US companies, 80,000 American citizens, 10,000 startups and a technology workforce of over one million.
Highlighting Karnataka’s initiatives in quantum technology, the Chief Minister said sustained collaboration between governments, universities, scientists, investors, startups and established industries was essential for the development of the sector.
He said Bengaluru already had a growing ecosystem of startups and global technology companies, anchored by the Karnataka Quantum Mission.
At Hesaraghatta, the State was building India’s first Quantum City, which would serve as an ecosystem of research laboratories, he said.
Under the Local Economy Accelerator Program (LEAP), the Government has also established a Centre of Excellence in Quantum Artificial Intelligence and Computing at IIIT Dharwad, the first such centre outside Bengaluru.
Shivakumar said quantum science would play an important role in the future of computing, communication, healthcare and advanced manufacturing.
“It is our responsibility to ensure our young people can engage with these developments. That is why an institution like this matters to us,” he said.
The Chief Minister said Science Gallery Bengaluru was closely connected with the State’s vision of promoting public engagement with science. He congratulated Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Dr Jahnavi Phalkey and their team, along with the partners involved in establishing the institution and the exhibition.
The Chief Minister sought the US Ambassador’s support in building partnerships in innovation and skilling with leading academic and innovation hubs in the United States.
He said Karnataka was developing a network of Educational, Skill and Innovation Corridors with leading ecosystems across the US.
“Our objective is simple: to connect classrooms to laboratories, laboratories to startups, and startups to global markets,” he said.
The State intends to foster partnerships between its universities and leading American universities and research institutions through joint research, curriculum development and industry-aligned learning, he said.
Such collaborations would help young people acquire globally relevant skills while remaining connected to Karnataka’s innovation ecosystem, he added.
Karnataka would also seek partnerships with Centres of Excellence, incubators, accelerators and research parks in major US innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin and Pittsburgh.
“These collaborations will give Karnataka’s startups access to world-class mentorship, advanced research facilities, venture capital networks and international markets. They will also let American innovators tap Karnataka’s extraordinary talent pool, manufacturing capabilities and vibrant startup ecosystem,” he said.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, IT, BT and Home Minister Priyank Kharge, Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Science Gallery Founding Director Dr Jahnavi Phalkey and other dignitaries were present on the occasion
–IANS
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