Michigan State University’s College of Education has been tapped by one of the world’s most influential philanthropic organizations, the Azim Premji Foundation (APF), to improve teacher education throughout India.

It all came together in 2008 when Punya Mishra, a professor of Educational Psychology and Educational Technology at MSU, met with members of the Azim Premji Foundation. The Azim Premji Foundation (APF) was set up by Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro Limited, and one of India’s wealthiest billionaires. The foundation is focused on systemic change in Indian education and aspires for a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society.

Operational since 2001, the foundation recently received a $2 billion pledge from Mr. Premji to establish a university dedicated to education and development. This university seeks to develop the next generation of teachers, administrators and community leaders who can facilitate economic growth in India.

In developing the University, the Foundation looked around the world for partners that could help them create a high-quality graduate school of education in India. They chose MSU’s College of Education as its only U.S. partner based on its expertise and commitment to social purpose.

“We see this as really a long-term collaboration, “Azim Premji University, Vice Chancellor Anurag Behar said during a recent visit to East Lansing. “MSU has the expertise available, and we were also interested in collaborating with an institution that has deep roots thinking about their work within the real world.”

In the short term, the collaboration with MSU is aimed at helping Azim Premji University (APU) develop innovative courses using knowledge the faculty has developed over years. MSU will review curriculum and course designs for two master’s programs in education and teacher education. MSU is also involved in faculty development around pedagogy, educational technology and research.

“The next piece includes going to India to hold faculty conversations on how to develop an institutional climate that supports excellence and the capabilities to do educational research,” Mishra said. “We ultimately want to see faculty and education students in classrooms,” he said.

Traditional Indian education is talk-driven and focuses on theoretical lectures, note taking and testing. Azim Premji University hopes to break the mold and implement active learning through research and actual practice.

“MSU is one of the few places in the country where undergraduate students work in real classrooms. This sets our graduates apart and makes our program highly ranked. Some of those pieces are lacking in India,” said Mishra.

He added that MSU’s Land Grant tradition matches strongly with the values APF holds regarding the creation of a just and equitable society, and about having a research- driven university contributing back to society. The foundation was also impressed with MSU’s College of Education ranking as one of the best in the world.

Long term, the project will establish strong ties within India, where the economy is rapidly expanding. The country’s need for thoughtful, sustainable development is something MSU’s educators, including Mishra, could not ignore.

“This project is proving that a country like India and organizations like Azim Premji Foundation and Michigan State University can work together as partners toward a common goal of improving teacher education and fostering the professional development of teachers around the globe,” said Mishra.

APU aims to enroll up to 3,000 students within the next five years.

The reciprocal benefit to MSU cannot be denied. The program is designed as a give and take of information based on conversations and exchanges of ideas, faculty and, ultimately, students. Mishra said that members of the College of Education faculty have been generous with their time and efforts on this project.

From graduate students to department leaders, many people want to help shape India’s educational future. “The next generation of scholars wants to be involved and potentially even work in India, and that is exciting to me,” he said.