Bengalur: The British Council, the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural exchange, in partnership with Microsoft India and the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education, Government of Karnataka, today marked a major milestone in youth empowerment with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to expand the English Skills for Youth (ESY) programme across 29 Government First Grade Colleges and 25 Government Polytechnics in Karnataka.
The MoU was signed by Ms Manjushree N., IAS, Commissioner, Department of Collegiate and Technical Education and Janaka Pushpanathan, Director South India, British Council in the presence of the Honourable Minister for Higher Education, Dr. M. C. Sudhakar, senior officials of the Government of Karnataka, and leadership teams from the British Council and Microsoft. The expansion builds on the strong foundation created through the programme’s implementation in 16 Government Engineering Colleges, with a target to reach 9,500 students across two cohorts.
Launched as part of a three-year partnership between the British Council and Microsoft, the English Skills for Youth programme is designed to enhance young people’s English language, communication, and employability skills, with a special focus on students from government institutions and socio-economically diverse backgrounds.
The expansion announced today significantly broadens the programme’s reach, enabling thousands more students from degree colleges and polytechnics across Karnataka to gain access to high-quality learning resources, digital tools, and structured English practice opportunities through the English Practice Clubs.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. M. C. Sudhakar, Honourable Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, said, “This expansion reflects our strong commitment to preparing Karnataka’s youth for a rapidly evolving global workforce. By partnering with the British Council and Microsoft, we are ensuring that students from our Government Engineering colleges as well as First Grade Colleges and Polytechnics receive not only technical knowledge, but also the communication skills and confidence they need to succeed.”
Janaka Pushpanathan, Director South India, British Council, said, “Our partnership with the Government of Karnataka and Microsoft India reflects the spirit of the India–UK Vision 2035, which places education, skills and people-to-people connections at the heart of our shared future. Through this we are equipping young people with the English, communication and employability skills they need to participate confidently in a global workforce. Our focus on inclusion ensures that students from government institutions and diverse backgrounds can access opportunities that support innovation, growth and long-term prosperity for both India and the UK.”
Through its blended learning approach, flexible modules, and peer-supported English Practice Clubs, the English Skills for Youth programme enables students to practise real-world communication in a safe and supportive environment. The initiative has also been recognised by NITI Aayog as a best practice, underscoring Karnataka’s leadership in innovative higher education.
The signing of today’s MoU marks the next phase of growth for the programme, reinforcing a shared commitment to equitable, inclusive, and future-ready education for Karnataka’s youth.
For more information on the English Skills for Youth programme, please visit:
https://www.britishcouncil.in/programmes/english/english-and-empowerment/english-skills-youth
