TGCHE Chairman Prof. V. Balakista Reddy Explores Strategic Collaboration With IIT-Madras to Boost Technological Education In Telangana
(Judicial Quest News Network)
Hyderabad – Prof. V. Balakista Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TGCHE), recently visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to discuss a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening technological education and research initiatives in Telangana. This collaboration seeks to leverage IIT-Madras’s expertise in building research parks, innovation hubs, and incubators to enhance the practical skills and technological capabilities of students in the state.
The primary focus of the discussions was on setting up incubation centres and research parks, as well as implementing programs to build human capacity in emerging technological fields. Prof. Reddy and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT-Madras, deliberated on various initiatives, including startup incubation, infrastructure development, and forging deeper ties between academia and industry. Prof. Kamakoti also shared insights into IIT-Madras’s successful programs like Pravartak, NPTEL, and Vidya Shakti, which have had a transformative impact on technological education in India.
Highlighting the commitment of the Telangana government to advancing technological development, Prof. Reddy assured Prof. Kamakoti that the state would provide full support, including necessary investments and resources, to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives. Chief Minister of Telangana, Sri Revanth Reddy, has expressed strong interest in advancing the state’s technological landscape, making this collaboration an important step toward fulfilling that vision.
During the visit, Prof. Reddy engaged in productive meetings with IIT-Madras officials, including Prof. Andrew Thangaraj, NPTEL Coordinator, to explore opportunities for incorporating NPTEL’s (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning) extensive online courses into Telangana’s higher education system. Prof. Thangaraj assured Prof. Reddy that the TGCHE would be actively involved in promoting NPTEL’s offerings, providing students in Telangana with access to world-class online resources and certifications.
Additionally, Prof. Reddy met with Prof. Ramanujam Sarathi, Coordinator of SwayamPLUS courses at IIT-Madras, who highlighted the role of Swayam in delivering high-quality, accessible education to students across India, especially in regions like Telangana. The discussions underscored the importance of online learning platforms in bridging educational gaps and enhancing access to skill-based training.
The visit also provided an opportunity for Prof. Reddy to explore the entrepreneurial ecosystem at IIT-Madras’s Pravartak Incubation Centre, which fosters innovation and supports the commercialization of research. He was particularly impressed by the range of services offered to startups, including mentorship, funding support, and access to cutting-edge research facilities. Prof. Reddy also had the chance to visit the IIT-Madras Research Park, where he was introduced to advanced technologies, including lab-grown diamond manufacturing, and the thriving innovation ecosystem that supports groundbreaking research.
As an expert in Space Technology and Space Law, Prof. Reddy also visited the IIT-Madras Rocket Factory, a specialized incubator for space technology, to explore opportunities for similar initiatives in Telangana’s higher education landscape.
The meetings, attended by key leaders from IIT-Madras, including Prof. Mangala SunderKrishnan, Dr. Shankar Raman (CEO of IIT-Madras Pravartak), and senior officials from NPTEL and Swayam, underscored the potential for a robust partnership between IIT-Madras and TGCHE. This collaboration promises to elevate the scope of technological education, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Telangana, benefiting both students and the region’s long-term growth.
The visit marks an important milestone in the ongoing efforts to position Telangana as a leader in technology-driven education and research, with both IIT-Madras and TGCHE committed to creating a sustainable ecosystem for innovation and skill development in the state.
