Chennai March , 2018: 100 Indian women have been awarded British Council 70th Anniversary Scholarships to mark the organisation’s 70th anniversary in India. The 70th Anniversary Scholarships, which are the first British Council scholarship programme solely for women, cover tuition fees for a one-year Master’s course in science, technology, engineering or mathematics during the 2018-19 academic year.
The investment in women scholars supports Prime Minister Modi’s shift to women-led development and the British Council’s own focus on women and girls and Sustainable Development Goal 5. It is also part of the organisation’s drive to partner the economic growth and knowledge ambitions of States across India. The programme, worth almost INR 18 crore, is the organisation’s largest investment in a scholarship programme in India.
The 100 scholars will be attending 44 British universities in all corners of the country including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.The UK is a global leader in quality research and the scholarships will offer the women the chance to work in world-class research environments and collaborate in international research teams.
The British Council’s 70th Anniversary Scholars have been selected from across India: 44 from South India, 21 from North India, 20 from West India, 9 from East India, and 6 from Northeast India. 55 of the candidates are from Tier I metro cities and 45 belong to Tier 2 and 3 cities and districts. Scholars will be studying subjects STEM fields including: 32 in computer sciences; 27 in biological sciences; 12 each in engineering and physical sciences. Other subjects include technology, maths and medicine.