Karnataka government signs MoU with British Council for undergrad programme

Bengaluru: Karnataka will have SCOUT — Scholars for Outstanding Undergraduate Students — programme again.

Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) signed an MoU with British Council and six Karnataka public universities to roll out SCOUT, a fully-funded, two-week residential programme hosted by a selected UK university.

Around 30 outstanding undergraduate students can avail of the opportunity. In 2024, five students were hosted by East London University; it was not held in 2025.

SCOUT was one of the six MoUs signed at Campus2Career summit, held Friday. The summit focused on bringing academia and industry together on employability, skill development and career readiness.

The other MoUs include training in modern technology like artificial intelligence, providing internships and part-time jobs. “Access alone is not enough. The govt’s focus is now on translating enrolment into tangible outcomes, ensuring that every student who enters higher education is prepared for employment, entrepreneurship and leadership,” said chief minister Siddaramaiah, inaugurating the summit.

Higher education minister MC Sudhakar invited corporates to open centres of excellence in govt colleges for the benefit of students. “Five to six international universities are coming to Bengaluru. Birkbeck, University of London, is the latest to join the league,” he said.

No decision yet on NEET, CET counselling

With NEET retest slotted for June 21, Sudhakar said they will now have to discuss whether to wait for NEET results for CET counselling. Usually, CET and NEET counselling are held in tandem so that students get the best choice possible. “We have to sit and discuss, and then take a decision,” the minister said.