Edu-leaders

Karnataka’s first private university, Azim Premji University, will start functioning from July this year with an estimated batch of 200 students.

The campus will start its functions in a rented nine-storied building near Electronic City and will move to its 100-acre campus off Sarjapur Road in 2013.

The varsity has announced three postgraduate courses in Education, Development, and Teachers Education.

“Last date for submitting the application forms is April 4. Students with bachelor’s degree in any discipline can apply,” an official said. About 28 faculty members have already joined the university.

Interested candidates will have to take an all India entrance test for their language and analytical ability, general and social awareness and knowledge in relevant subjects. The test will be conducted in 38 centres across the country on April 17. Based on their performance in the test, the students will be selected for a final interview.

The not-for-profit university is a brainchild of Azim Premji, chairperson of Wipro Limited and is financially backed by the Azim Premji Foundation.

According to Premji, the aim of the varsity is to create a pool of professional teachers to improve the quality of teaching in the country. The university will also provide training to teachers, government functionaries and officers who will teach children in rural and semi-rural parts of the country.

The university will provide monetary help to students from financially weaker sections of the society. “Moreover, the students coming from rural areas will be given due assistance to cope with city life. The university will also help students in polishing their communication skills,” added the official.