KEONICS Marks Half-Century with Strategic Pivot
Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) marked its 50th anniversary on September 22 in Bengaluru. The milestone event highlighted the corporation's evolution from the foundational agency behind Bengaluru’s Electronics City to a broader technology partner for the state government, industry, and citizens.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, addressing the Golden Jubilee celebrations, stated that KEONICS’ journey reflects Karnataka’s transformation into a global technology hub. He emphasized that the state is entering an era defined by artificial intelligence (AI), with a specific focus on ensuring technology reaches schools, students, and small entrepreneurs in rural areas.
'Beyond Bengaluru' Infrastructure Push
A central theme of the anniversary was the 'Beyond Bengaluru' initiative, aimed at expanding technology infrastructure across regional centers. The government has identified Hubballi, Shivamogga, Kalaburagi, and Mangaluru as key nodes for this expansion.
Specific projects include: * **Shivamogga:** Development of an IT Park Annex Phase II on 2.5 acres, alongside plans for a larger 36-acre IT Special Economic Zone (SEZ). * **Mangaluru:** Construction of a 3.25-acre IT Park at Blueberry Hill, Derebail. * **Mysuru:** Establishment of a 3.48-acre IT Park.
KEONICS Chairman and Hosakote MLA Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda noted that these projects are designed to create employment and business opportunities in emerging regional centers, building on existing IT parks in Hubballi, Kalaburagi, and Shivamogga. Several of these initiatives are expected to utilize public-private partnership (PPP) or Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DFBOT) models to attract private investment.
KEO AI PCs for Educational Access
A significant new initiative unveiled is the KEO AI PC, a 'Made-in-Karnataka' AI-enabled computer designed to enhance access to AI-based learning. The planned rollout covers 2,222 units across 239 taluks and 31 Model Residential Schools. These devices feature on-device AI capabilities, aiming to improve digital learning and AI literacy among students.
CM Shivakumar welcomed this initiative, stating, “KEONICS is making a big effort to provide technology to village children through AI-based KEO computers. I welcome KEONICS’ initiative to prepare the children of the future.”
Addressing the Skills Gap
During the event, Chief Minister Shivakumar also addressed the disconnect between education and industry requirements. He pointed out that 30,000 engineering seats in the state remain vacant while graduates often face low salary offers. To resolve this, he suggested making curricula more industry-oriented and focused on practical skills.
KEONICS is concurrently modernizing its training network and Digital Education platform. The corporation’s 130+ training centers have trained and certified over 1.39 lakh students between FY20 and FY26. Additionally, the KEONEXT digital marketplace is being utilized to streamline government-to-government procurement for ICT products, IT services, and technical manpower.
The anniversary celebrations also included the launch of KEONICS’ new logo and CLT module, the release of a coffee-table book documenting its five-decade history, and the unveiling of a statue of R K Baliga, the founder of Electronics City and KEONICS’ first chairman.