Azim Premji Foundation gets nod for university

BANGALORE: The Government of Karnataka has given an in-principle clearance for Azim Premji Foundation, the social arm of the IT major Wipro, to set up the first private university in the State, the Azim Premji University.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar said that a Bill will be introduced in the monsoon session of the legislative assembly next month to facilitate the university.

“The foundation will provide the statutory endowment fund of Rs.250 million (Rs.25 crore),” the minister added.

Unlike regular universities, the APF university will train professional teachers and non-teaching staff in education and skill development for imparting quality teaching to students from primary to high school.

“The self-financed university will undertake teaching, training and research and development (R&D) in elementary and secondary education, education management and education policy,” Kumar said.

The Board of Governors of the university will have two government representatives.

Higher Education Minister Aravind Limbavali, who was also present at the media briefing, said Azim Premji had met him and the Chief Minister some time ago and expressed his desire to set up the university.

The Azim Premji Foundation, which is a not-for-profit organization, was set up in 2001 in Bangalore by Azim Premji with a vision to significantly contribute to achieve quality universal education that facilitates a just, equitable and humane society.