Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is keen to attract foreign university campuses to KWIN City, with some seeking buildings tailored to their specific requirements under a 'build-to-suit' model, state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Friday.
The minister said the government is considering an appropriate model to meet these requirements.
He was responding to a starred question raised by nominated member K Shivakumar in the Legislative Council.
According to him, KWIN City is being developed across 5,000 acres between Doddaballapura and Dabaspet. Development work on the first phase is currently under way, and the tendering process has been completed.
Eight leading companies, including Toyota, and research institutions-14 entities in all-have entered into agreements for KWIN City, he said.
The minister noted that Toyota is establishing a state-of-the-art innovation centre there, which will be of a standard that the company does not even have in its home country, Japan.
Global-standard medical institutions, the Indian Institute of Science and a campus of the National Law School of India University will also come up here, he explained, according to a statement issued by the Minister's office.
Imperial College London, ranked second globally; the University of New South Wales in Australia, ranked 19th; the University of Liverpool, ranked 139th; Lancaster University, ranked 164th; La Trobe University, ranked 241st; and Flinders University, ranked 374th, have already signed agreements with the state government.
Of these, the University of New South Wales and the University of Liverpool have already established campuses at Manyata Business Park in Bengaluru and the Alembic City complex in Whitefield, respectively, he said.
"The government wants these institutions to establish campuses in KWIN City as well. Imperial College London will establish an innovation hub here," Patil said.
He said that some companies and universities are seeking a 'build-to-suit' model. The government is considering constructing buildings tailored to the specific requirements of such institutions, enabling them to operate from these premises for the next 30–40 years.
Only the eligibility and credentials of the institutions will be considered while allotting such facilities. KWIN City will also have residential facilities and common amenities. The process of allotting space to suitable and reputed institutions will be taken up over the next year, he said.
Responding to another question from K Shivakumar on bringing modern industries to Mysuru, Patil said a well-equipped aerospace park has been planned near the city's airport.
However, the project has encountered a hurdle as local landowners are demanding compensation on par with the rates offered in Bengaluru. The issue will be resolved and the project taken forward, he said.
The minister said that land had been identified near Nanjangud for semiconductor industries. The State wants companies to undertake not only research and design but also manufacturing in Karnataka. However, companies seeking Production Linked Incentive (PLI) benefits have to approach the central government.
At present, the Centre is encouraging such companies to invest in Gujarat and other States. There is a political decision behind this, he said.
Nevertheless, Karnataka has succeeded in bringing major semiconductor companies such as Lam Research and Applied Materials to the State, he added.
This report was published from a syndicated wire feed. Apart from the headline, the EdexLive Desk has not edited the copy.