CM Revanth announces skill university in Hyderabad; blueprint deadline before Budget session

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy ordered the officials to make arrangements on war footing for the establishment of a Skill University in the State.

The chief minister asked the officials and industry bigwigs to come up with clear proposals for the skill university ahead of the Budget Session of the State Assembly by month’s end. The government will take an appropriate decision within 24 hours after examining the proposals received.

The CM held a meeting with the representatives of the various industrial units on skill development at the Engineering Staff College, Gachibowli on Monday.

Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, IT and Industries minister D Sridhar Babu and advisor to the CM Vem Narender Reddy also participated in the meeting. The CM sought views and opinions on the establishment of a skill university from the officials and celebrities in the meeting.

Skill University within Engineering Staff College premises

The chief minister proposed the establishment of a skill university within the premises of the Engineering Staff College. Since the college is close to IT companies and other industries, the CM ordered the officials to examine the setting up of a skill university on the college premises.

CM Revanth Reddy and the officials decided to float a temporary board for the skill university on the lines of ISB (International School of Business). The chief minister suggested to the officials to come up with a blueprint in advance for the courses for the university and other aspects such as course curriculum, industrial needs and employment opportunities for the youth.

The important decisions taken in the meeting include:

- The industry department in coordination with the education department to engage with industry leaders and come up with a clear action plan for setting up the skill university.

- Report to be submitted before Assembly Budget Session i.e. before 23 July

- Skill University envisaged a PPP project in a hub and spoke model that is self-sustainable.

- Hub to be located in Hyderabad with spokes in every erstwhile district headquarters to cover all Parliamentary Constituencies eventually.

- Industry to play a critical role in demand assessment, curriculum development, skill training as well as offering internships.

- The government to facilitate by giving necessary regulatory approvals and providing land and buildings including existing facilities like ESCI and NAC.

- Corpus fund will be created with CSR donations from industry.

The chief minister said that the skill university will provide advanced knowledge and skill upgrades to the youth. Deputy CM Vikramarka has been asked to look after the financial issues to set up the university and IT and Industry minister Sridhar Babu will oversee the preparation of curriculum and courses.

Ministers Vikramarka and Sridhar Babu are in charge of the curriculum and courses

The two ministers have been asked to formulate the proposals with a fixed deadline and meet every five days as the Assembly Session will commence in 15 days.

The CM also ordered the officials to examine whether the skill university should be established with a private partnership with the government or will the government alone take the responsibility.

The officials have been asked to hire a reputed consultancy to prepare all the necessary proposals and project reports for the establishment of the skill university. The chief minister also announced the Department of Industries will be the nodal agency for the university.

Before the meeting, CM Revanth Reddy inspected the under-construction convention centre at the Engineering Staff College for over 20 minutes and inquired with the officials about the facilities being provided.