UNITED STATES: To celebrate the diamond anniversary of India’s Independence Day on 15 August 2022, the UK government announced on Wednesday, 29 June that it has partnered with selective private businesses in India to offer 75 fully-funded scholarships to Indian students from September, encouraging more international admissions to the UK institutes.
Renowned companies like HSBC, Pearson India, Hindustan Unilever, Tata Sons and Duolingo are among the few, supporting UK’s largest funding-drive to date. Of the 75 scholarships, HSBC will fund 15 of them, Pearson India will fund two, Hindustan Unilever, Tata Sons, and Duolingo will each fund one.
The programmes on offer include Chevening scholarships for one-year master’s programme, with the opportunity to study a subject of personal choice at any recognised British university.
Additionally, 18 scholarships in the academic fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which cover more than 12,000 courses across more than 150 UK institutions, are being offered exclusively to women by the British Council in India.
The fully-funded scholarship package entails tuition, accommodation expenses as well as travel costs for a one-year postgraduate programme. The eligibility criterion requires a minimum of two-years’ work experience.
The decision was made at a crucial time when British and Indian business delegates and government officials gathered in London for the Indian Global Forum. The British High Commissioner Alex Ellis noted the announcement as a great milestone, celebrating the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence with a great flurry of academic opportunities for its youth.
“Thanks to the exceptional support from our partners in industry, I am delighted to announce 75 scholarships for Indian students to experience the best of the UK. Nearly 30% of Chevening scholars in India come from smaller cities or are first generation students, making this an increasingly diverse programme,” he said.
HSBC CEO Hitendra Dave commented that the objective of the “Chevening HSBC Scholarship” is to encourage young people with potential to make their mark as decision-makers and leader of the future by leveraging world-class educational facilities.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the “India/UK Together” programme, which encourages strong international ties between the two nations, during a recent summit meeting he attended in India. Education plays a key role in diplomatic decisions as it inadvertently influences the cultural, economic and political status of the countries in question.
Also Read: India is Observing the National Education Day
