Azim Premji University

Azim Premji University
Motto Work towards a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society.
Type Private
Established 2010
Chancellor Azim Premji
Vice-Chancellor Anurag Behar
Academic staff
 120
Undergraduates 105
Postgraduates 300 (2012)[1]
Location Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Website azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in

Azim Premji University was established as a not-for-profit, private autonomous university under the Azim Premji University Act 2010 of the Karnataka Legislature in India.[2]

The Azim Premji Foundation is the sponsor of the university. Azim Premji is the chancellor of the university and Anurag Behar is the vice chancellor.[3][4]

The university offers post-graduate courses in Education and in Development (M.A. in Education and M.A. in Development). Starting July 2015, it offers undergraduate programmes leading to a degree in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.). Specializations are offered in the Humanities (combined History, Literature and Philosophy), Sciences (Physics, Biology) and Economics. Students also have the opportunity to take up research and projects to obtain an honours degree. This is a full-time, three-year, residential programme.

The campus is on Hosur Road on the outskirts of Bangalore in Karnataka, India, which is a leased premise. The private campus is under construction between Attibele and Sarjapura.[5]

History

Azim Premji University was established by the Azim Premji Foundation (APF).[6] APF is a non-profit organization focused on primary education. The university was granted its charter by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly through The Azim Premji University Act of 2010.[7][8][9]

The university began with the launch of two post-graduate programmes: Master of Arts in Education and Master of Arts in Development with a few specializations.[10]

The first academic session started in August 2011. The first batch of 86 students who joined in July 2011 completed their two-year program in May 2013. The university held its first convocation ceremony on 1 October 2013 at Bangalore. The governor of Karnataka, Hans Raj Bhardwaj, who is the Visitor of the University and Azim Premji, chancellor of the university, presented degrees to the first batch.[11][12][13]

The university student strength rose to 260 in the third batch inducted in July 2013. There were nearly 400 students in the two Masters programs and more than 120 faculty and staff in 2013. Nearly 50% of students were from rural areas and small towns of India, across 20 states.

Campus

Pixel Park, Azim Premji University

Azim Premji University began its operations from an interim campus on the premises of PESIT BSC on Hosur Road in Bangalore.[14] The university operates on leased premises of over 1 lakh square feet.

A permanent campus for the university is being developed on Sarjapur Road on the outskirts of Bangalore. The new 80-acre campus will cater to 3500, with staff and student residences.

Academics

Azim Premji University offers post-graduate programs in education, development and public policy & governance.[15] From the year 2015, undergraduate courses for students have also been started.[16]

The University is organized into 5 schools and a university wide Research centre. The five schools are:

  • School of Education
  • School of Policy and Governance
  • School of Development
  • School of Liberal Studies
  • School of Continuing Education & University Resource Centre

Library

The library, which spans over 8000 sq. ft area, has a collection of over 27,633 books and more than 150 print and online journals. The modern IT infrastructure in the library allows students and researchers to access to its catalog and e-resources through WiFi technology. The library has a comprehensive collection of print, digital and media resources on education, philosophy, psychology, sociology, development studies, law, political science, health and public policy. Online resources such as Ebsco, JSTOR, Manupatra, Questia, Sage and World Bank eLibrary are provided for the teaching and research staff.[17]

Admission process

  • UG programme: Admissions are open to 12th standard/pre-university certificate students from all disciplines. The admission process includes a written test and an interview. The program is residential so every student needs to stay in hostel.
  • PG programme: Admissions are open to graduates from all disciplines. Students from rural areas are given preference. Students have to clear a three-layered admission process including a written test, group discussion and interview.

Fees and scholarship

The university extends some scholarships to help students cover their fees. The scholarships may cover part of the tuition and student accommodation related boarding and lodging expenses or sometimes even the entire expenses.[18][19]

In addition to scholarships, the university offers loan repayment support for students who take up careers in the social sector or pursue higher education in related domains, and contribute through teaching, research or field engagement. This support is provided to students in forms such as interest waiver or subsidy, and part reimbursement of the loan. For the selected students, the university works out the procedure for such support on a case-by-case basis during the admission process. The university helps arrange concessional education loans for students as well.[20]

People

Faculty

The university has a faculty group of over 100 in varied disciplines and fields including Education, Development, Science, Social Science & the Humanities. More than 60% of the faculty have doctoral degrees in relevant domains. The student-faculty ratio is 10:1. It has some of the well-known scientists, researchers, educationalists, philosophers, writers, economists and many more famous personalities as its faculty.

Research and partnerships

Azim Premji University is engaged in research projects and has conducted more than 30 capacity-enhancement programs in education perspectives, leadership and academics for government functionaries. It has Memoranda of Understanding with national and state capacity development institutions such as Administrative Training Institute, Mysore[21] and National Institute of Administrative Research (NIAR) to develop capacity enhancement frameworks for government functionaries in leadership positions. The university has also partnered with Michigan State University[22][23][24] and (INET) to train education experts and, ultimately, improve India’s vast, struggling school system and to create strategies for development that have proven successful in promoting equitable growth and reducing poverty.

Vibrant academic discourse

Since its inception, the university has conducted international seminars in the area of Philosophy of Education,[25][26] and Law, Governance and Development. The first international seminar was held in January 2013. The second international seminar on Philosophy of Education was scheduled for May 2014. University has also hosted lot of public seminars, some which were given by Billionaire investor George Soros, Historian Ramchandra Guha, Economist Sanjeev Reddy and etc.

Azim Premji University has partnered with Institute of New Economic Thinking (INET)[27] and has conducted summer and winter advanced graduate workshops on development.[28]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". Azim Premji University. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-02.
  2. ↑ "KARNATAKA ACT NO. 14 OF 2010" (PDF). Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  3. ↑ "Anurag Behar is VC of Azim Premji University". Deccan Herald. 22 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "Anurag Behar is VC of Premji varsity". The Hindu. 23 March 2011.
  5. ↑ "Heights of learning". Pune Mirror. 3 August 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-11-21.
  6. ↑ "Azim Premji Foundation".
  7. ↑ "Nod for Azim Premji University". Times of India. 19 June 2009.
  8. ↑ "Decks cleared for setting up Azim Premji University". 13 March 2010.
  9. ↑ "Azim Premji University to be set up soon in Banglore". The Times of India. 3 December 2010.
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-21.
  11. ↑ "First batch of students pass out of Azim Premji University". The Hindu. 3 October 2013.
  12. ↑ "Azim Premji University holds its first convocation". OneIndia Education.
  13. ↑ "Azim Premji varsity's first convocation". The New Indian Express. 6 October 2013.
  14. ↑ "Campus and Community". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  15. ↑ http://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/SitePages/postgraduate-programme-programme-overview.aspx
  16. ↑ http://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/SitePages/undergraduate-programme-programme-overview.aspx
  17. ↑ "Azim Premji Foundation Library".
  18. ↑ http://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/SitePages/admissions-programme-ug-faqs.aspx
  19. ↑ http://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/SitePages/admissions-programme-pg-faqs.aspx
  20. ↑ "Financial Aid and Student Support". Azim Premji University. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  21. ↑ "Azim Premji varsity, ATI-Mysore in pact". Business Line. 13 June 2013.
  22. ↑ "Video on MSU/Azim Premji University collaboration".
  23. ↑ "MSU helps transform Indian schools". Michigan State University. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  24. ↑ "Helping India's educators teach new lessons". Michigan State University.
  25. ↑ "Seminar series to explore philosophy of education". The Hindu. 29 March 2012.
  26. ↑ "Azim Premji University invites abstracts on Philosophy of Education". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  27. ↑ "Azim Premji Summer School". Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  28. ↑ "Advanced Graduate Workshop On Poverty, Development and Globalization 2013". Archived from the original on 12 September 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.

Coordinates: 12°51′46″N 77°39′54″E / 12.8627°N 77.6649°E / 12.8627; 77.6649

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