SCORPION

Indus Training and Research Institute (ITARI), Bangalore, has entered into a strategic international collaboration with Keele University, Staffordshire, UK, to launch a teacher-training programme called the Keele Professional Graduate Diploma in International Education (PGDIE).

Keele University, rated as an outstanding university for teacher training in the UK, Keele is making its maiden foray into India. The programme has a year long intensive academic component and depending on the success it garners here, Keele has plans to introduce programmes for teachers who are already in the profession.

For the Professional Graduate Diploma in International Education (PGDIE), a Bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification for admission. The programme, in its first module, will focus on preparing young graduates for a career as school teachers. In India, you will find various teacher's training institutes that provide teacher training programs for pre-primary, primary education and higher education.

The British Council helped facilitate the talks between the two partners who had already signed an MoU in November last year. The objective is to provide expertise to teachers and make them master trainers in institutions within India. With the kind of international schools now opening up in India and corporate houses entering the field, there's a huge demand for internationally certified teachers. This profession has become quite satisfying and well paying, so teaching is no longer the last option. The course starts in August and will train and equip freshers/ teachers in international pedagogical trends.

Faculty from Keele's Education Department, for starters, will deliver staff development lectures for teachers of the Indus schools from July onwards.

Lt. Gen. Arjun Ray, CEO, Indus Trust, said at a media briefing to announce this education partnership, This is the most significant step towards providing an internationally accredited post-graduate diploma programme in teaching.

This is the first of its kind in India and opens up tremendous opportunities for collaborative research. The initiative is also part of Keele University's internationalisation agenda. After the PGDIE is introduced, the next stages of development will include an MA in Education and research programmes. Said Kevin Mattinson, Keele's pro vice-chancellor for community and partnerships. We see the programme as the first of a number of collaborative activities with Indus. High quality education or teacher-training courses should be an entitlement for all. Interested in enrolling? Get in touch with Keele University representatives for admission formalities as well as available of job opportunities through teacher training programs.