Padma Shri Prabhakar B. Kore,
Founder Chairman
“All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which
was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.” – Orison Swett Marden
PRABHAKAR BASAPRABHU KORE, Chairman, K.L.E. Society & Chancellor, KLE University, Belgaum, a legendary figure in the domain of education, health care, co-operative endeavour and community building. A second-time MP in the Rajya Sabha, Dr. P. B. Kore is well known in the political and social circles for his significant contributions and commitment to the transformation of society through education and healthcare.
He has been at the helm of Karnataka Lingayat Education Society (KLES) as Chairman since 1984 & the last three decades have seen KLE grow from 38 institutions in 1984 into a massive organization of 240 institutions of international repute in education and health care. Today KLE is engaged in the delivery of quality education to about 1,00,000 learners – ranging from Pre-primary to post-doctoral level – virtually in every sphere of human knowledge, facilitated by a dedicated team of 16,000 qualified and experienced KLE employees.
In recognition of his unparalleled contribution to the fields of education, healthcare, and public service, Dr. Prabhakar B. Kore was conferred the prestigious Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours. This distinguished recognition stands as a testament to his visionary leadership, lifelong dedication to nation-building, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of society.
The KLE educational services spectrum today encompasses institutions of School Education in Kannada, Marathi and English medium, and centres of higher education and research in the faculties of Arts, Science, Commerce, Education, Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Ayurveda, Hospital Administration, Engineering, Law, Management, Agriculture, Fashion Technology, Tourism, Hotel Management & Catering. The Society during this phase has distinguished itself by taking much needed advanced health care services to the doorstep of the people in this part of the country. Positioned at its pinnacle in terms of its reach and performance, the organization has emerged as one of the largest education and healthcare providers in India with 240 institutions catering to the needs of the community.
His visionary efforts to facilitate higher education with an all-inclusive community-centric approach and a global perspective have seen KLE forge collaborations in the field of Health Sciences through MoUs with the Universities of Illinois, Chicago, and Sunderland (UK).
Dr. Kore has also been instrumental in the commencement of two Community Radio stations, one each at Hubli and Belgaum. These help provide a voice to the concerns of society and serve as valuable means of transforming society through participatory education.
Under his guidance, a sophisticated 2500-bed KLE Hospital and Medical Research Centre with a 1200-bed charitable wing has been set up at Belgaum. In reverence and recognition of his relentless efforts, vision and selfless contribution, the K.L.E. Society named this great monument of national pride as KLES Prabhakar Kore Hospital and M.R.C., Belgaum.
Dr. Kore is an example of exemplary leadership and his humble, democratic and progressive way of management has enabled KLE to evolve into a truly global organization.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, conferred by the Government of India in recognition of Dr. Prabhakar B. Kore’s exceptional contribution to education, healthcare, and public service.
- Life Time Achievement Award from Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons.
- Suvarna Karnataka Rajyotsav Award – 2006 for outstanding contribution in the field of education by the Government of Karnataka.
- Outstanding Educationist of the Year – 2004 by Giants International Group. This prestigious award was presented by Shri Amitabh Bachchan, the icon of the Indian film industry.
- Life Time Achievement Award for Education, Service and Commitment to Society awarded by Veerashaiva Samaj of North America, New York.
- Rotary International Award for outstanding contribution in the fields of Education and Health Services.
- Karnataka Sangha, Pune Award.
- Aravind Award by Nadoj Pratisthan, Belagavi.
- Actively involved in the Karnataka Rangabhoomi and Natak Academy.
- Honoured on 21st December, 2007 by Kannada Sangh Bahrain, the Island of Pearls in the Persian Gulf, during “Kannada Vaibhav 2007”, at the hands of Shri Balakrishna Shetty, Indian Ambassador to Bahrain.
- Conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Karnatak University, Dharwad, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of education.
- Conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Rani Channamma University, Belagavi.
POSITIONS HELD outside KLES:
- President, Lord Basaveshwar Education Society, New Delhi.
- Vice-President, All India Private Medical Colleges & Private Engineering Colleges Association, Bangalore.
- Working President, Belgaum District Task Force on Total Quality Management in Higher Education.
- Member State Level Apex Body (SLAB) – Quality Assurance & Sustenance in Colleges and Universities in Karnataka – TQM & NAAC Accreditation.
- A Member of the All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi.
He has been working ceaselessly to raise the standard of living of the downtrodden through welfare and educational measure.
As a Member of the Parliament (Rajya Sabha) he has served on many national
level committees :
- Defence Consultative Committee
- Health Committee- Study Committee on the problems of Aids in India
- Standing Committee on Railways
- Subordinate Legislative Committee
- Committee on Hindi Prasara.
- General Council of School Planning & Architecture.