The Hindu : Karnataka News : Establishment of aerospace varsity may take more time

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka

Establishment of aerospace varsity may take more time

Special Correspondent

It was to be set up in collaboration with
foreign universities
Plan hit as the policy framework for FDI in higher education ‘is not ready yet'

Bangalore: The establishment of a dedicated university for the aerospace industry may take more time, according to senior State Government officials.

A joint task force of the Government and the Confederation of Indian Industry had earlier visualised that the university will be established in collaboration with foreign universities.

However, V.P. Baligar, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Industry, said on Monday that the plan had fallen through because the Union Government's policy framework for Foreign Direct Investment in higher education “is not ready yet.”

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Baligar said the Government was now considering “scaling down” plans by making the university offer courses in disciplines such as flying, engineering, air traffic control and in aviation management. “We are trying to get Indian companies to promote the university,” he said. The Higher Education Department was preparing guidelines for private sector participation, he added. “The All-India Council for Technical Education will have to approve the courses,” Mr. Baligar said.

Mr. Baligar said 50 per cent of the land for the 985-acre aerospace park had already been allotted. Investments amounting to about Rs. 5,000 crore had already been approved for projects in the park near Devanahalli. The Government expected total investments to be about Rs. 10,000 crore within a year, Mr. Baligar said. He said the Government expected “to sign about 10 to 12 more MoUs during Aero India 2011.

Aroon Raman, president, Karnataka State Council, CII, said: “The potential that the automobile industry offered 15-20 years ago can be seen in the aerospace industry today.” He said “cost pressures” are forcing global companies to source from countries like India.

“The Government's offset policy offers huge opportunities, especially for states like Karnataka,” he added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka