Bangalore, Dec 19 (IANS): Indian IT bellwether Wipro Ltd Thursday announced a fellowship programme to nurture talent of American school teachers in mathematics and science in collaboration with Michigan State University.

"We are funding the multi-year programme with a $2.8-million grant to initially train about 100 teachers in Chicago public schools in both the subjects," Wipro chief executive T.K. Kurien said in a statement from New Jersey.

Aligned with the US national goal to improve the quality of education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the programme will build leadership in urban schools by leveraging expertise developed by Michigan University.

"Our initiative seeks to develop and inspire young people to contribute to excellence in STEM education in American public schools," Kurien said.

The programme will identify teachers committed to teaching the four disciplines in urban schools through a selection process.

"As there is a critical shortage of excellent math and science teachers across the US, especially in urban school districts, we need leaders who can build their capacity to improve learning," university's College of Education assistant dean Sonya Gunnings-Moton said.

The College of Education is one of the leading schools in the US, working across states.

"The certified teachers will become part of the STEM urban learning and leadership community to build capacity for learning outcomes among urban students," said Wipro sustainability officer Anurag Behar.

Successful participants will be certified in STEM teaching and leadership as a recognition of their commitment and expertise in the subjects.

"The programme has been designed to develop teachers into catalysts of change in disadvantaged communities of urban areas. The initiative is in line with our vision to make impactful contribution towards quality education," Behar added.

The global software major had initiated a similar fellowship in 2012 with University of Massachusetts across 10 districts of Boston and Newark area to foster excellence in STEM education.

Wipro has over 10,000 techies working for its global clients across 48 states in the US and has a recruitment programme to hire locals from colleges and universities across the country.