Karnataka - Bangalore

Wipro Foundation wants to set up education university in State

Azim Premji

Bangalore: Chairman of Wipro Azim Premji has sought to set up an educational university in the State and Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has been quick to welcome the proposal.

Mr. Premji called on the Chief Minister and Minister for Higher Education Arvind Limbavali at the State Secretariat to put across the proposal. In the recent budget approved by the two Houses of the State Legislature, the Chief Minister had spoken of a government move to encourage establishment of private universities in the State and the Wipro chairman is the first to respond to it.

Mr. Limbavali said the Wipro Foundation had sought to start an educational university to impart learning in all aspects of education, including administration. It has plans to train teachers from the school to the university level apart from imparting learning and training to educational officers. The private university will prepare the syllabi, conduct examinations and award certificates to successful students. “All that the Government is expected to do is to provide the no-objection certificate for the establishment of the university and, if need be, to provide for requisite land.”

Since the Wipro chairman has only placed a proposal, the Government is not clear on the various facets and activities of the proposed university and its location.

The Azim Premji Foundation is already working in the field of primary education in several backward districts of the State. It is also not clear whether the proposal to set up the university is with a business intention or a philanthropic activity to serve the people.

The Government has sought the support of Wipro in providing computer training to college students which in turn would enable them gain employment. Mr. Premji is stated to have positively responded to the Government’s request. It is common knowledge that there is a substantial reduction in the number of students opting for basic arts and science degree courses in comparison with the demand for seats in the engineering and medical courses.

Another request of the Government to Wipro was to consider providing mobile education to students in the remote areas of the State. “Rural students aspiring to join professional courses are deprived of proper coaching for CET. To help them , well-organised and systematic coaching is being contemplated. This may be taken up through mobile vans fitted with high-tech equipments. Such a measure will be a great boon to the students,” it said.

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