The Karnataka Knowledge Commission (KKC) plans to draw up a plan to revitalise and strengthen higher education, public health and recognise traditional skills in the State by constituting mission groups and task forces.

Addressing a press conference, the Commission Chairman, Dr K. Kasturirangan, said “It is gratifying to know that Commission's 12 recommendations to the State Government have been implemented and 22 are at various stages of implementation.”

9 projects

“The Commission has also executed nine projects in collaboration with various State Government departments. Based on the outcome of these projects, we have drawn up road-map to give emphasis up to June 2013,” he added.

Recommendations of the Commission revolved around strengthening of the State education resource institutions, development of a teacher's professional policy, mainstreaming of Ayush, public health, documentation of dissemination of traditional skills and knowledge.

At the Commission 14{+t}{+h} sitting, discussion centred on stakeholders audit of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission by the Bangalore-based Public Affairs Centre and agenda setting for the next one and half years based on focus themes and flagship ideas were discussed.

Focus and task forces

According to Prof M.K. Sridhar, Member Secretary and Executive Director, Karnataka Knowledge Commission, “Today's meeting decided to constitute mission groups for focus themes and form task forces for implementing flagship ideas.”

The Commission also decided on flagship ideas for implementing like GIS in the State, create knowledge index, knowledge atlas and developing knowledge habits.

Dr K. Kasturirangan said today's meet also dealt on how to provide quality education and strengthen both collegiate and university education. To enhance quality of research by both students and the teaching staff at college and the university levels.

Quality education

Mr Siddaiah, Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, said “In today's meet, we took stock of as to how to provide quality education in rural areas. The State having 357 first grade colleges, 297 Government-aided private colleges, 11 Government engineering and 167 private engineering colleges and numerous private and Government-run polytechnics.”

“Meet came up with suggestion to create district-level role model institutions, colleges to aspire or benchmark themselves. In addition to financial audit, a separate academic audit both at collegiate and university levels be taken up annually and also how to make teaching community accountable were suggested by few members,” he added.

>anil.u@thehindu.co.in

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