Taking a step further to provide global exposure to all in-service teachers and aspiring teachers across the national capital, the Delhi government’s Delhi Teachers University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK’s University of Birmingham – for curriculum development, research and exchange programs on Thursday. The MoU was signed in the presence of the Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Shri Manish Sisodia, the Chancellor of the University of Birmingham Lord Karan Bilimoria, and the Vice Chancellor of Delhi Teachers University Shri Dhananjay Joshi.
While discussing the future plans with the University of Birmingham, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Manish Sisodia said that the MoU signed today is a testament of the Kejriwal Government’s firm commitment to provide India with world-class educators of the future. “It is our firm belief that to become the best, we must constantly strive to learn from the best. I am certain that by collaborating with the University of Birmingham – recognised as one of the finest universities across the world, we will be able to take education in India to the greatest heights of excellence, and make teaching a prestigious, sought after profession that youngsters across the country aspire for. This MoU marks the beginning of a long, collaborative association across many programs for teacher training between Delhi & Birmingham, and will serve as an opportunity for both the universities to learn and grow immensely,” he said.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Delhi Government and the University outlines activities that shall be undertaken by the University of Birmingham to support the development of the Delhi Teachers University in the long run. The identified avenues for collaboration include designing teacher education programs (primarily B.Ed. Special Education, M.Ed. Special Education, and certifications), co-creation of research projects on teacher and educational leader education and development by banking on each other’s expertise whilst expanding research networks in India and the UK. Furthermore, the universities will explore opportunities to enable the exchange of students, faculty and researchers and shall find ways to deliver dual-degree programmes.
Sharing his views on the MoU, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Chancellor of University of Birmingham said that there are several reasons for this MoU to come to fruition so swiftly after their first engagement just months ago with the Delhi Government. “The University of Birmingham is really excited and looking forward to the opportunity to work with the Delhi Government, whose education model has been lauded by leaders and organisations from world over. We believe that the vision and ethos of our university are aligned with the Delhi Teachers University, and the MoU will help us transform teacher education in both the cities through research and exchange. Teaching is the cornerstone of quality education, and working with the Delhi Government on one of their flagship programs for teacher education will help us both to expand our knowledge network,” he said.
On this occasion, the Vice Chancellor of Delhi Teachers University, Shri Dhananjay Joshi said that the University of Birmingham is recognised as one of finest universities in the world for its teacher education program. “By collaborating with the University of Birmingham, Delhi Teachers University will be able to adopt their learnings across curriculum development and research. Along with this, the exchange program shall provide our budding teachers with first hand experience of the best practices globally in teaching and teacher education. The MoU signed today is a monumental step towards the expansion of intellectual wealth of educators in India.”
Birmingham University is a public research university located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom. It serves as a founding member of both the Russell Group of British Research universities and an international network of research universities. The Department of Education, UoB was founded in 1896 and became the School of Education in 1947. It is one of the largest research-led schools of education employing more than 100 academic staff. The School of Education has a long-standing reputation as a centre of excellence for teaching and research in a wide range of areas of educational practice and policy.
Along with the Deputy Chief Minister, the Chancellor of University of Birmingham and the Vice Chancellor of Delhi Teachers University; senior representatives of the University of Birmingham, namely Prof Robin Mason – Pro Vice Chancellor International, Shri Dipankar Chakraborty – Regional Director South Asia and Middle East, Shri Luke Wales – Director International Strategic Engagements and Shri Tony Moran – International Communications Manager were also present for the occasion.
