Wipro launches STEM fellowship program in US

NEW JERSEY, USA: Wipro Ltd. and Michigan State University (MSU) today jointly announced the launch of a fellowship program in the United States. This multi-year program will be funded by a USD 2.8 million grant from Wipro, and will involve over a hundred school teachers, with the aim of nurturing excellence in science and mathematics, starting with the public school systems of Chicago.

Wipro's initiative is aligned with the US national goal to significantly improve the quality of education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). "Wipro is committed to being an involved participant in its communities. This initiative seeks to develop and inspire young people to contribute to excellence in STEM education," said T.K Kurien, CEO and member of the Board, Wipro Ltd.

Wipro will identify teachers committed to teaching in urban schools after a rigorous selection process. Participants will be elementary or secondary school educators.

Successful participants will earn a Graduate Certificate in STEM Teaching and Leadership recognizing their commitment and expertise in STEM fields in urban education. All program participants will also become part of the STEM Urban Learning and Leadership Community.

"There is a critical shortage of excellent math and science teachers nationwide and even more so in urban school districts," said project co-leader Sonya Gunnings-Moton, assistant dean in the College of Education, Michigan State University. "We need leaders among teachers who can build not only their own capacity to improve learning, but also the capacity of their colleagues."

"This program is designed to develop each of these teachers into catalysts of change in disadvantaged communities of urban areas. This initiative also dovetails with our vision of making a deep and impactful contribution towards achieving high quality education," said Anurag Behar, chief sustainability officer, Wipro Ltd.

This initiative with MSU is the second such program that Wipro has kicked off in the past 16 months in the US. In 2012, Wipro and the University of Massachusetts, Boston (UMass Boston) jointly launched a fellowship program across 10 districts of Boston and Newark area in STEM Education, with the aim of fostering excellence.