The newly formed Azim Premji University will start its academic programmes in July by launching three post-graduate courses — M.A. Education, M.A. Development and Master's in Teacher Education.
Karnataka's first private university, aimed at developing outstanding professionals in the fields of education and development, will select students for these courses through a common admission test. The university has invited applications for the first batch of these courses and the test will be held on May 29 in 38 centres across the country.
The test will examine proficiency in English, analytical ability, general and social awareness, and knowledge of relevant subjects. Candidates shortlisted on the basis of their applications and performance in the written test will be interviewed in the third week of June. The University will announce the list of selected students by end June 2011. The last date for receipt of completed application forms is May 15.
The University has stated that every selected candidate will have the opportunity to pursue the course irrespective of financial constraints. Scholarships and loans will be provided in all deserving cases.
Special financial support programmes are available for working professionals who gain admission.
M.A. (Education) will not be a teacher education programme but will strive to empower a new generation of men and women “with the understanding, expertise and diversity of skills to actively engage with issues in education.” The university claims that focus on areas in education outside teaching, and orientation to working with the disadvantaged, are the key differentiators of this course from the existing M.A. (Education) offered in various institutes.
M.A. (Development) is designed as a course with an emphasis on leveraging the body of knowledge around theories in development and alternative action strategies for development outcomes. Graduates of this course could be absorbed into Azim Premji Foundation-supported District Resource Centres and schools, government field offices or other organisations.
Master's in Teacher Education aims at strengthening the competencies of prospective teacher educators with a focus on stage-specific needs. According to the university, the key differentiators of this course from the current M.Ed. course are: opportunities for practice at the teacher education level, specialisation specific to the elementary or secondary stages, and specialisation specific to school subject pedagogy.
General eligibility for these courses is a Bachelor's degree in any discipline (including Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Commerce, Management, etc.). All candidates must have obtained a pass class in their Bachelor's degree.
In a bid to provide prospective students with a more comprehensive picture of the University, open interaction sessions are being planned on April 9 at Government Arts & Science College, Meenchanda, Kozhikode, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and on April 16 at YMCA, YMCA Road, Thiruvananthapuram, between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
For more details, contact Advocacy and Communication, Azim Premji Foundation, 134, Doddakannelli, next to Wipro Corporate Office, Sarjapur Road, Bangalore- 560035. Ph: 80-6614 4900/01/02; e-mail: info@azimpremjifoundation.org.
