Tue May 06 17:13:08 UTC 2025: ## Mangaluru Launches Civic Think Tank Consortium
**Mangaluru, India (May 7, 2025)** – The Dakshina Kannada district administration and the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NIT-K) have partnered to establish a consortium of local educational institutions serving as civic think tanks. The initiative, launched Tuesday with a signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), aims to leverage the intellectual capacity of students and faculty to address local challenges.
The consortium, initially focusing on engineering colleges, will tackle issues identified by government departments, such as solid waste management (SWM) in Mangaluru. Students will participate in research, design, and implementation of solutions, gaining valuable real-world experience and potentially launching socially-driven startups.
Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan emphasized the project’s potential to nurture innovation and create a national model for collaborative district development. NIT-K Director B. Ravi noted the possibility of utilizing hackathons and engaging alumni networks to support the initiative. The collaboration marks a significant step towards integrating academia into local governance and fostering long-term sustainable development.
First Piper 