Karnataka’s educational ecosystem has created strong talent pool, says Sharan Prakash Patil

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah lighting the lamp to mark the formal inauguration of KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research’s Jagadguru Gangadhar Mahaswamigalu Moorusavirmath Medical College and KLE Hospital and Medical Research Centre, at Gabbur in Hubballi on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“Karnataka’s progress in professional education has been driven by the combined contribution of government institutions and educational institutions established by private organisations and Mutts over the past several decades,” said Higher Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on Saturday.

He was speaking at the ceremony organised to mark the inauguration of the KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research’s (KAHER) Jagadguru Gangadhar Mahaswamigalu Moorusavirmath Medical College and the 1,200-bed KLE Hospital and Medical Research Centre at Gabbur in Hubballi on Saturday.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday evening visited the JGMM medical college and hospital, inspected various facilities at the teaching hospital and appreciated the vision of KAHER chancellor Prabhakar Kore and KLE Society. He also lighted the lamp to mark formal inauguration of the college and hospital.

“Karnataka is number one in professional education because, along with government institutions, private educational institutions and Mutts have contributed a great deal since the 1960s,” Dr. Patil said.

The Minister said the State had developed a strong talent pool as a result of this educational ecosystem. He noted that around 1.48 lakh students were studying in KLE institutions and assured the society of the government’s cooperation.

Dr. Patil thanked the KLE Society and Chancellor of KAHER Prabhakar Kore for establishing an advanced teaching hospital and expanding medical education and healthcare facilities in the region.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said there was a need for medical professionals and paramedical personnel in large numbers. Indian healthcare professionals, he said, were respected and in demand across the world.

He said the Indian medical system had retained a human touch, which had contributed to its reputation globally, and described the KLE Society as an institution with global recognition.

Mr. Joshi also referred to the emerging opportunities for India’s young population, patents and technological development. He said while rest of the world had ageing population, India had highest ‘young population’ and consequently there was considerable scope for providing human resources to an ageing world.

Referring to healthcare, Mr. Joshi highlighted the Ayushman Bharat scheme and said 44 crore people had received free treatment under it. He also spoke about India’s pharmaceutical industry and technological advances in areas such as quantum technology and semiconductor manufacturing.

Mr. Joshi said the number of medical colleges in the country had increased from around 300 to 750 after the Modi government came to power.