MoAs signed in presence of IT/BT and S&T Minister Dr.C.N.Ashwatha Narayana
Bengaluru, NFAPost: To facilitate the growth of emerging technologies in the state, the Government of Karnataka inked 3 MoAs (Memorandum of Association) of Rs 100.52 crores on Friday.
In an event ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav – Innovation and ‘Indigenization in Karnataka – a Gateway for inclusive and equitable growth’ jointly organised by Karnataka and DPIIT aligning with Govt of India’s initiative “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”, MoAs were signed in presence of Minister for Electronics, IT/Bt and S&T Dr C N Ashwatha Narayana.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr C N Ashwatha Narayana said the Center of Excellences which will be set up under these MoAs aims to nurture and facilitate researchers, academicians, startups, and industry to develop technological framework characterizing ethical bindings and enable responsible deployment of AI and IOT across Agriculture, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Smart cities, and education.”
“The first MoA, signed between the Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, GoK, and Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is to set up a Center of Excellence for Efficiency Augmentation in Bengaluru. The Center will support start-ups that would build products & solutions leveraging emerging technologies such as AI, ML, BigData, IoT among others to contribute to ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’,” said Dr C N Ashwatha Narayana.
The Minister also said the department will provide Financial assistance of Rs 17.60 Crores (total Project cost is Rs 26.77 Crores) towards setting up the CoE and its operations for a period of 5 years.
Another MoA, Tri-Party Agreement between Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society(KITS) GoK, I-Hub ARTPark, Narayana explained, has the objective to help create and maintain next-generation Artificial Intelligence (“AI”), Robotics and advanced communication facilities (5G) and help nurture technopreneurship activities. He added the government will provide financial assistance of Rs 60.00 Crores towards setting up the Centre of Excellence and its operations for a period of 5 years.
The third MoA is related to the establishment of the Center for Internet of Ethical Things (CIET) in Bengaluru at a cost of Rs 22.92 crores for which KITS (Karnataka Innovative & Technological Society of IT/Bt Dept), IIIT-Bangalore, and World Economic Forum (WEF) signed. The proposed Center will contribute to policy frameworks pertaining to ethical and moral aspects of technologies and aims to nurture a thriving innovation ecosystem in the State.
Further Amrit Start-up(75 Start-ups), an initiative to support with seed funding under the Idea2Poc Scheme of Startup Policy, to Startups from Backward classes, SC/ST and Minorities. This will be a special drive under Elevate Unnati Programme to encourage entrepreneurs was also announced.
Post the signing of the three MoAs, the event highlighted the theme of Innovation and Indigenization in Karnataka through knowledge-sharing discussions. Panel discussions on Redefining Inclusion – an outlet of varied perspectives, Equality in Tech – Celebrating Women Leaders and a session on highlighting initiatives undertaken by Startup India were conducted by key members of the ecosystem. Dr.Madhav, IIT-B, Prof.Shadagopan, III-B, Mohan Padaki, CEO, 1Bridge, Dr.Lakshmi Jagannathan, CEO, DERBI Foundation, Purushotham Koushik, World Economic Forum, and others were present as speakers.
Dr.E.V.Ramana Readdy, ACS, Dept of IT/BT and S&T, Prashanth Prakash, State StartUp Vision Chairperson, B.V.Naidu, Chairperson, KDEM, Dr.Meena Nagaraj, MD, KITS, and others were present at the event.
