Wipro has teamed up with the University of Massachusetts Boston to launch a 12-month fellowship programme in the US to train 120 school teachers over three years. The programme involves a set of activities that will seek to improve teachers’ knowledge, thereby boosting student performance and foster science education among students from disadvantaged areas of Boston and New York. The one-year Wipro fellowship programme for teachers is aimed at developing competencies and enhancing their leadership potential. The programme will be entirely funded by Wipro, according to a spokesperson. It will identify 40 experienced science teachers in Boston and New York — from those engaged with kindergarten to grade 12 every year. The nomination process for the fellowship will commence in January 2013 and the selection is due to be completed by March 2013.
"This programme is part of Wipro's efforts to align with America's goal to instil, nurture scientific temper and innovative spirit among young people”, said T.K. Kurien, Chief Executive Officer of IT business and Executive Director, Wipro.
The course is scheduled to begin on September 1, 2013. The selected teachers will undergo 250 hours of capability development training by a team led by Arthur Eisenkraft, distinguished Professor of Science Education and Director of the ‘Centre of Science and Math in Context’ (COSMIC) at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Each teacher will continue to teach in their respective schools, and during the duration of the fellowship and will also engage with local communities and other interested teachers.