KASSIA moots establishment of MSME Varsity

Bangalore, Aug 22 (UNI) Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) today mooted establishment of a separate university for the benefit of Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSME), KASSIA President Arvind N Burji said today.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said the MSME University was aimed at attracting younger generation to take up entrepreneurship.

''Of late, though a large number of engineers and IIM graduates were produced, only a few became entrepreneurs, sending a wrong signal to the future of the industrial development not only in the State but also in the country,'' he said.

Mr Burji said a proposal for MSME University has been put before the Karnataka Government and there was positive response from Minister for Small and Medium Industries Venkataramanappa during his recent visit to KASSIA.

KASSIA Honorary general secretary Prakash N Raikar said the university will not only help in attracting the younger generation to entrepreneurship but also can produce students employable in any industry whether it was Small, Medium or Large.

''The curriculum can be prepared based on the requirements of the industries. Since the last five years, due to IT and BT, the younger generation venturing into entrepreneurship has drastically been reduced and there is urgent need to take up necessary steps,'' he added.

Replying to a question, he said ''KASSIA is ready to establish such a university. But since it needs huge funds and land, we have put forth the proposal to the State Government.'' Mr Burji said the KASSIA has adopted two Industrial Training Industries (ITI)-- in Arasikere and Belgaum-- for which the Central Government was giving Rs 20 crore as interest-free loan repayable after 20 years. KASSIA's role will be Advisory in nature.

A committee, involving local industrialists, Deputy Commissioner, experts in the industry would be formed to prepare syllabus according to the need of the surrounding industries.

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