Study Abroad Guide-GECS India

£35,000 scholarship per student set up exclusively for Indian students for PhD & MPhil degrees in science, technology and social sciences

St. John’s College, a leading college of the University of Cambridge, today released details of this year’s prestigious ‘Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships’, the programme first launched at the Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi last year.

The scholarship programme has been set up exclusively for Indian students and currently based in India for PhD and MPhil degrees at St John’s College in areas such as science, technology and social sciences. St John’s College, where Dr Singh studied for a First in economics in the late 1950s, is seeking to award £35,000 scholarships to each PhD student for up to three years, with three scholarships already planned for the year 2009-10. The scholarship would be based on merit through a special test, in order to ensure maximum effectiveness. Large organizations like Rolls-Royce India, BP Foundation and others have agreed to sponsor this scholarship. This scholarship programme is administered by the British Council which has a proven track record in managing prestigious scholarships like the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, British Chevening Scholarships and others.

A selection committee, comprising an appropriate nominee from each sponsor and a panel of academics and others selected by the college will be set up in India to make recommendations to the college regarding the profile of applicants.

This year too there are three scholarships on offer.

Application will be open from 1st week of November and the closing date for the Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships is 31 December 2008.

For full details on the Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships 2009-10 and how to apply please visit British Council website.

Notes for Editors

In September 2008, three outstanding scholars – winners of the first Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships managed by the British Council. They are the first winners of the scholarships announced in honour of the Indian Prime Minister.

Niladri Banerjee, 24, did his master’s programme at IIT Kanpur. After his PhD he would like to remain in the field of academics. “I always dreamt of being able to go to Cambridge. Probably because I heard that Isaac Newton studied there. The desire was very persistent, so much so, that it can safely be called a childhood dream,” says Niladri, who grew up in Kolkata.

Manasa Patnam, 23, was engaged as a teaching/research fellow at the Lahore University of Management Science (LUMS), and would like to focus her work on health and development issues.

Nitu Duggal, 31, was pursuing MPhil in Educational Research at the University of Cambridge and has spent 10 years working with underprivileged children in a Delhi Administration school.

About St John’s College

St John’s College was founded in 1511 by Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII. The second largest of the 31 constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge, it has about 135 Fellows, 530 undergraduates and 300 graduate students. The total current membership of the College, comprising in essence all those who have studied here, stands at around 12,000. The College is celebrated for the beauty of its buildings, and for the wide-ranging activities of its alumni. During the five centuries since its foundation, distinguished Johnians have been among many other things scientists, statesmen (including five Prime Ministers), economists, public servants, writers, musicians and lawyers.

About University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge’s reputation for outstanding academic achievement is known worldwide and reflects the intellectual achievement of its students, as well as the world-class original research carried out by the staff of the University and the Colleges. As Cambridge approaches its eight hundredth anniversary in 2009, it is looking to the future. It continues to change in response to the challenges it faces. The modern University is an international centre of teaching and research in a vast range of subjects: about half of the students study science or technology. Members of the University have won more than eighty Nobel Prizes.
Britain’s long standing relationship with India, and the large number of Indian students who have studied at the University of Cambridge over the past 100 years, underlie the University’s continuing engagement with the sub-continent.

For any further information, please contact: Vishu Sharma British Council Tel: +91 9873920295 e-mail: vishu.sharma@in.britishcouncil.org or Tim Holt University of Cambridge Tel: +44 1223 332300 e-mail: tim.holt@admin.cam.ac.uk

For any press enquiries, plesae contact Anjoo Mohun at anjoo.mohun@in.britishcouncil.orgor Angeles Micah at angeles.micah@in.britishcouncil.org

Source: British Council

Helping Indian students study in the UK

The Chevening programme has over the years given a unique opportunity to over 2,000 Indians to study in Britain and develop new skills. It is now the UK’s second largest scholarship programme globally.

The key theme for Chevening 2008 is Leadership. We are looking for exceptional Indian graduates from diverse backgrounds including the private sector and civil society to apply for the programme.

Chevening scholars have continued to make immense contribution to their home country. When I worked in Eastern Europe, two of the region’s Prime Ministers were Chevening alumni. The same is true in business, academics and the media. I see the Chevening Programme as a passport to success.”

– Richard Stagg CMG, British High Commissioner to India

Applications to the Chevening Scholarships Programme 2009 will be soon announced

The Chevening Scholarship scheme offers exceptional Indian candidates the opportunity to undertake postgraduate study at leading universities in the UK. It is aimed at future leaders, opinion formers and decision-makers.

For more details on the Chevening Scholarships Programme click here.

Annually, the Chevening programme supports around 2000 individuals from across the globe to study in the UK. Up to 100 Indian professionals receive financial assistance for the duration of their studies each year.

We are looking for exceptional Indian graduates with strong leadership potential from all backgrounds, whether public or private sector, or from the NGO field.

For detailed eligibility criteria click here.

This scheme primarily offers funding for Long-term academic taught masters. Candidates must apply directly to a UK institution for a place to study a Masters or postgraduate course before applying for a Chevening Scholarship.

We provide scholarships for a wide range of disciplines ranging from Economic Governance, Finance and Public Administration to Sustainable Development and Science & Innovation.

For details on the subjects covered in the programme click here.

‘The Chevening Gurukul’ is a unique 12-week advanced leadership programme, created specifically for India’s future leaders, by the renowned London School of Economic and Political Science (LSE). It was launched in 1997 to mark 50 years of India’s independence and since then has become a prestigious name, attracting high-calibre applicants.

Each year twelve exceptional Indian men and women are selected to participate in an intensive programme which addresses the issues faced by leaders in all fields.

For details on Chevening Gurukul Scholarship for Leadership and Excellence click here.

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For general information on the British Chevening Scholarship Programme, please log on to: www.chevening.com