Posts Tagged ‘MS’
- In: Europe | Germany | News | Scholarships
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Source: German Information Center, new Delhi
India and Germany on Tuesday, September 9, inaugurated the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre. On a two-day visit to India, German Federal Minister of Education and Research, Dr Annette Schavan, along with her Indian counterpart Kapil Sibal inaugurated the Centre in New Delhi.
The Centre was announced during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Germany in April 2008 and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up of the Centre was signed by Schavan and Sibal in October 2007, during the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to India. The Centre will provide links to research, academia and Industry and support flagship projects between India and Germany in the areas of common interest. Both governments will be contributing €2 million each year for the initial five years.
Schavan and Sibal also inaugurated the campaign ‘India and Germany – Strategic Partners in Innovation’ in New Delhi. Both ministers reiterated their commitment for developing Indo-German strategic partnership in Science & Technology. A Joint Declaration on ‘Science for Sustainability’ was also signed by Sibal and Schavan to develop a full-fledged Indo-German programme in the areas of science for sustainability.
Another joint intent for exchange of students was also signed between both the countries. This includes the exchange of students and teachers between India and Germany for Zulab programmes of Germany and National Children Science Congress of India., and setting of ‘Youlabs’ at Indian institutes.
On September 8, the German minister announced a new Scholarship for Technical Education and Research (STAR) for the faculty and students of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M). An MoU was signed between IIT-M and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) that envisages setting up of the Centre for studies in Sustainable Development at IIT-M.
She also said a funding package ‘A New Passage to India’ comprising study and research, internships and setting up of Indo-German Centres of Excellence would be financed by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and would begin in 2009. It will deal with renewable energy, water and waste management. Schavan said at the event, “The new programme will be an exchange programme especially for scientists. The number of Indian students coming to Germany has increased by a factor of six. For this, Germany has provided a funding to €4.3 million a year for scholarships, internships and tie-ups,” she said.
India and Germany have had over five decades of cooperation and exchange in the field of science and technology. India is a priority partner of Germany in Asia and science and technology cooperation (STC) is one of the most important strategic goals for the future of Indo-German relations.
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Source: The Hindu – Education Plus
German Academic Exchange Service is all set to launch its new initiatives, ‘A new passage to India’, that will benefit students and young researchers from Germany and India.
- Modern Indian studies will be offered in select German universities.
- Indian students can do their practical internship in Germany.
Max G. Huber, vice-president and special delegate of the Federal Government for the Promotion of German Universities abroad, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Bonn, Germany, and Nina Lemmens, head of division, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, DAAD, Bonn, Germany, were in Chennai to participate in the golden jubilee celebrations of the Indo-German cooperation in higher education, organised at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) on September 8. Spea king exclusively to Education Plus, they delved in detail about the new DAAD initiative, ‘A New passage to India’, a package that will be promoted in 2009. “Intensive exchange of knowledge is very important and DAAD has been striving to strengthen the academic relations between India and Germany,” says Mr. Huber. “We are constantly looking for young people with expertise and intensify the exchange process,” he says.
The DAAD office was set up on New Delhi in 1962 and since then there has been a gradual raise in the number of students going to Germany for higher education and research. “Our concentrated marketing campaign has been fruitful. Right now, there are about 3,800 Indian students studying and pursuing research in Germany,” he points out.
Though the focus is in the field of nanotechnology, new materials, biotechnology, IT and other related fields, there is scope for studies in humanities also. ‘A new passage to India’ has taken this aspect also into consideration.
“The objective of our new initiative is to kindle interest among German students of all discipline and courses to study or carry out research in India,” says Mr. Huber. “The package also introduces parallel measures which will ensure the requisite reciprocity by encouraging Indian students to carry out research in Germany.” “The Indo-German STAR scholarship announced by Minister Annette Schavan on the occasion of the golden jubilee is also one of the important programmes that comes under this new DAAD initiative,” he informs.
According to Ms. Lemmens, this new initiative was the brain child of Ms. Annette Schavan, minister for higher education and research, Federal Republic of Germany. She came up with this idea after she visited India twice in 2007. Funds to the tune of 4.3 million Euros per year will be allotted for ‘A new passage to India’ and, this will benefit students and researchers from both the countries.
‘A new passage to India’ is structured in three levels. 1. Study and research, 2. Internships, and 3. Indo-German centres of Excellence. “The programme is sponsored by the ministry of education and research with stress on more German students and researchers going to India. Indian universities can contribute by even giving a tuition fee waiver,” says Ms. Lemmens.
Student mobility
The first level aims to stimulate interest among German students from all disciplines and at all levels (diplom /bachelor / master / Ph.D) to study/research in India. It will also promote two way exchanges, wherein institutes from both the countries can enter into strategic partnerships or sign MoUs and exchange student and faculty.
Setting up of bi-national double degree programmes will also be promoted. The participation of German and Indian universities which already have cooperation shall be particularly encouraged to further the internationalisation of universities and to strengthen faculty and student exchange. “At a later date, accreditation to Indian courses in Germany will be possible in order to facilitate entry into the European market,” Ms. Lemmens says.
Internships
More and more German students will be encouraged to do practical internships in India. This will provide them culture and work experience in India. The six to nine months internship will focus largely on India-specific and cultural issues. Indian students, on the other hand, can also do their research internships in Germany. Students from technical universities in India can visit Germany during their summer break and work with German doctoral research students for three months and assist in their experimental project work. “This has an advantage. Indian students can get familiar with the research scenario in Germany at an early stage in their career,” observes Ms. Lemmens. Fields such as renewable energy, biotechnology, waste management, and health research will be given special consideration.
Centres of excellence in India
An MoU has already been sighed by IITM and DAAD to set up Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development in Environmental Science and Engineering at IITM. This centre will promote long-term bilateral cooperation and work towards significantly increasing the number of exchanges especially at the doctoral level. At a later date, young researchers from Germany will be given opportunity to carry out their research at the Centre for a period of two years.
Indology
In order to present modern India, modern Indian studies will be offered in select German institutions. These indology centres will educate and train young Germans from all disciplines, who are interested in India. Some indology departments in certain universities are in the verge of close-down and this initiative will identify such departments and revive them. Professors from India will be brought to these departments and modern Indian studies will be offered. The course duration will be for one year. DAAD will provide funds and resources to sustain this programme.
STAR scholarship
The minister for higher education and research, Annette Schavan, who was here in Chennai to participate in the celebrations, has announced Indo-German Scholarship for Technology and Research (STAR) as a presentation to the IITM on the occasion of the golden jubilee. This is to promote partnership between the TU9 universities in Germany and IITM. STAR scholarship comes under the ‘A new passage to India’ initiative. This is a special honour to IITM wherein three pairs of senior and junior scholars from each of the two countries can spend up to three months in one of the TU9 universities. This will be an annual exchange programme.
University of Cambridge announces prestigious Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship 2009 (29/10/2008)
Posted on: October 30, 2008
- In: Articles | News | Scholarships | UK
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£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
- In: Articles | News | Scholarships | UK
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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.
| To read more about what the alumni have to say click here. |
Click below to download the:
Application form 
or Application form 
Academic Reference form or Academic Reference form
Professional Reference form or Professional Reference form
For general information on the British Chevening Scholarship Programme, please log on to: www.chevening.com
- In: Europe | News | Scholarships
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The European Union’s Erasmus Mundus scholarships for the academic year 2008-09 have been granted to 2,000 students and 450 teaching staff from outside Europe, of which 164 have been selected from India.
The Erasmus Mundus programme, first introduced in July 2001, is a cooperation and mobility programme in the field of higher education. The programme confirms the European Commission’s interest in opening up European higher education to the rest of the world. It aims to enhance quality in European higher education and to promote inter-cultural understanding through co-operation with third countries.
The programme offers scholarships to highly qualified third-country graduate students and scholars to participate in an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course. The scholarships allow students to study in Europe for one or two years and obtain a Master’s degree from one of the 103 Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses offered by the Consortia of European higher education institutions. In the framework of the course, scholars can also carry out teaching and research assignments in participating institutions for a maximum of three months.
European and third-country graduate students who have completed their undergraduate studies and successfully obtained a first-class degree awarded by a higher education institution anywhere in the world can enrol in an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course. Students have to register for an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course directly with the consortium offering the Course. The consortium informs the students about specific admission conditions (e.g. study results, language skills, etc.) and about application deadlines.
In total, more than 6,000 students will have received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship to obtain a degree in Europe over the five-year period from 2004 – 2008. Over the same period, more than 1,000 teaching staff from third countries have been given an Erasmus Mundus scholarship to actively contribute to masters courses in teaching or research activities. The programme has allocated 33 million euro for the period 2005-2009 for scholarships to Indian postgraduate students.
One of the characteristic features of the Erasmus Mundus programme is that student grantees are allowed to follow their courses in at least two universities located in different European countries. This gives them the opportunity to learn about European cultures, languages and academic systems.
The second phase of Erasmus Mundus (2009-13) is expected to start in 2009 with a planned total budget of 950 million euros. Its main new features are the inclusion of joint doctoral programmes, increased scholarships for European students and an intensified structural cooperation with third-country higher education institutions.
The Commission has recently also launched the “Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window” which will be implemented complementary to and in synergy with the Erasmus Mundus Programme. This new initiative funds student (from undergraduate to post-doctorate level) and academic staff mobility between European higher education institutions and institutions from targeted third countries. It is envisaged to integrate this mobility scheme into the new Erasmus Mundus programme to start in 2009.
Study to Cope With Recession
Posted on: October 29, 2008
- In: Articles | Scholarships
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With economical recession looming all over the world, finding good jobs and charting out a career path seems a tough proposition. The risk associated with headcount is always a worry for all employees. However if one looks at the positive side of things, this can be seen as a perfect opportunity to go back to school and acquire additional skills to enhance job opportunities and widen your career options. Alternatively one can look to make a career switch altogether.
Recessions are always a good time for universities offering diverse courses under various areas of study. This is because in such times people often prefer to enhance skills which make an individual stand at a winning edge in the e competition. Better qualifications and skills allow you to better position yourself in the job market.
Different individuals have varying motivations factors to get back to school. It may range from getting a second degree to enhance skill or to just as a means to fill up the void created by a lack of job. Most individuals also feel that they stand a better chance of finding a job through placement services offered by university campuses.
However, the biggest deterrent for individuals going back to school is the prohibitive cost of graduate education which can range from anywhere between $20,000 to $50,000 USD. We offer some tips which will allow you to make a calculated judgment about this important decision.
1. Firstly analyse the cost factor and RoI (Return on Investment). If you have other pending financial needs to meet and the return on your educational investment seems farfetched then you might want to consider otherwise.
2. Choose the right course and curriculum. You can opt for fulltime, online, distance education or part time whichever best matches your needs and then shortlist universities, which offer required type of courses.
3. Another factor to be considered is the lack of income for two years. If this would upset your financial planning, you might want to give it a second thought.
4. If post graduation study is due to a career shift in mind, always ask yourself whether going back to school is necessary for the change or whether your current profile would give you the flexibility to change careers without getting another degree in that area of study.
5. Also if you have just finished your undergraduate course, then pursuing masters straight away, to survive in a bad job market.
The biggest challenge while going back to school is to arrange for the finances to fund your studies. However, if you plan well you can apply for scholarships or educational loans which are available at affordable rates.
- In: Articles | Scholarships | Sweden
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The right tuition free college or school is often found in Europe, where this educational scheme has a long and successful history. One example of a tuition free college is the Jonkoping International Business School. Based in Northern Scandinavia, Sweden, the Jonkoping International Business School is an urban university that offers degrees in informatics, economics, business administration, commercial law, and political science studies. Bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees are offered, and most of the classes are in English. The school is relatively small, with a total enrollment of about 2000 students, of which 25% are international students.
Just like the Jonkoping International Business School, many other tuition free schools have strong English support due to the reason that Not all of these institutions focus on business though. There is a wide range of degrees and programs offered around the world, including computer science, IT, and engineering degrees.
Another great school is the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. These top-notch institutions have international programs where the language of instruction is in English.
Take 1-2 Min of yours and read below answers to your frequently asked questions:
Why No Tuition Fee when universities just like them in other countries cost thousands of dollars?
The universities/ schools in Sweden are funded by the government through public expenditure. There are no tuition fees involved, unlike the vast majority of universities and colleges in the USA, UK and other parts of the world.
If these universities don’t charge tuition, what’s the quality of education like?
These universities are funded by billions of dollars in public spending (government money) and therefore they have the highest level of academic excellence. Also, the concept of “education for all” (tuition free in college) is very common in many parts of the world such as Europe and in certain jurisdictions of the USA.
Are courses in English?
Yes
Tuition free for non-citizens?
Yes
What about books and living expenses?
This is a good question that many students ask. The bad news is that you will be responsible for paying room and boarding. The GOOD NEWS is that there are resources out there to assist you. Visit our scholarship section on Study Abroad guide blog that exposes you scholarship opportunities that you can use along with our list of Tuition Free Universities to help you.
Why Sweden?
With a distinct innovation to build a close cooperation between industries and academic sector, Swedish universities are renowned for their investigative research and independent thinking. This reputation is cemented with rigorous quality control, nationally and internationally certified degrees. Apart from being a developed Nation and ranked among the richest countries in term of per capital ratio. Sweden is a safe and modern country in Northern Europe. It has accrued a spectacular reputation as an innovation and creative force. Sweden is the home of corporate brands like Volvo, IKEA, Ericsson, H & M and Saab.
Swedish Universities offers around 500 Master’s programs in English, ranging from programs in the Faculties of law, science, Engineering, Health science, management sciences, Social sciences and Medicine. It also provides 3-year Bachelor’s programs in English language as well. These programs include but are not limited to Business and IT Management, Economics and Policy, English Language, Business marketing, Software engineering, Space engineering, Industrial management, Energy systems, Digital forensics and IT-security, Analytical Finance, Tourism Management and Electronics. All programs accredited.
The Sweden Institute Scholarships for Students
The Swedish Institute, a government agency, each year administers over 500 scholarships for students and researchers coming to Sweden to pursue their objectives at a Swedish university.
The number of available scholarships varies from year to year, and competition is keen. Most foreign students in Sweden finance their stay without help from scholarships. There are several different kinds of SI scholarship available. SI scholarships for students applying to English-language programs in Sweden are mainly for master’s level studies or advanced studies/research.
The Ford Foundation’s International Fellowships Program (IFP) funds graduate studies for students from China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, South Africa, Egypt, Palestine, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico and Russia.
UK Student Visa Guide
Posted on: October 22, 2008
- In: Articles | UK
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Applying for a UK student visa allows a person to come to the United Kingdom to embark upon a course of study in excess of six months duration.
The study visa immigration service entails the grant of a UK study permit enabling visa nationals to study in the UK with a view to gaining a recognized qualification.
Benefits
The student visa service in itself does not constitute a route to settlement; it does not confer indefinite leave to remain in the UK (ILR) often known as permanent residence and it will not lead to the opportunity to become a UK citizen through British Naturalization. However, a visa for student immigration may allow you to switch to another UK immigration service without leaving the country, upon the successful completion of your course.
If your course of study lasts less than six months, you may be able to enter the country under a UK visit visa, often referred to as a travel visa or tourist visa. However, the benefit of studying in the UK under a visa for students is that you will also be permitted to undertake limited employment.
Duration
There is no set duration for this type of visa for immigration to the UK, however, visas for students are usually granted for an initial period of one year and are determined by the length of course to be studied. In some cases, a study visa extension may be granted by applying for Further Leave to Remain (FLR) where applicants intend to follow completion of their course with another course of study.
One route for staying in Britain beyond your course of study, is available through switching to a UK work permit. UK work permits depend upon a specific offer of employment from a British company. Alternatively, you may qualify for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, or HSMP, a points based immigration visa for migrants with desirable professional skills. A third option for extending your stay in Britain by a year is the International Graduate Scheme, or for candidates graduating in Scotland, the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland programme.
Global Visas can assist you in obtaining your permit to study and can help you to further your stay in the country, should you choose to do so, by selecting the best British immigration service for you. Our UK immigration consultants can manage your application at every stage providing immigration lawyer advice and on arrival services.
Eligibility
Course of Study
A UK student visa applicant must show that they have been accepted onto a course of study at one of the following.
- A publicly-funded institution of further or higher education (for example a university)
- A bonafide private education institution that maintains satisfactory records of enrolment and attendance for students and offers courses which lead to qualifications recognised by the appropriate accreditation bodies.
- An independent fee-paying school outside the maintained sector.
Applicants for UK student visas must intend to follow either:
- A recognised full-time degree course.
- A weekday course at a single institution that involves at least 15 hours of organized daytime study a week.
- A full-time course of study at an independent fee-paying school.
Students must be able to meet the costs of their course and accommodation and the maintenance of themselves and any dependents without undertaking full-time employment or engaging in business or having recourse to public funds. The applicants should also intend to leave the country at the end of their studies.
In-Country Applications
In-country applications for United Kingdom student visas may not be submitted by Visa Nationals.
Employment
Unlike a UK visit visa, or travel visa application, applicants for study permits may take part-time or holiday work but must not engage in the following.
- Work for more than 20 hours a week during term time (except in vacation periods), unless it is a work placement and part of a study program and the educational institution agrees.
- Conduct business, be self-employed, or provide services as a professional sports person or entertainer.
- Work full-time in a permanent job.
Spouse and Dependent Immigration
Spouse immigration is only permitted for married partners and unlike a fiance visa or De Facto visa, often known as an unmarried partner visa, your common-law or conjugal partner is not allowed to join you.
Married partners will be granted leave to remain for a period equal to that granted to the student. During this time, they must be able to support themselves either independently or with the help of the applicant.
Your spouse will be permitted to work only if your permit was issued for 12 months or more.
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Despite increasing demand for MBA degrees and more stringent admissions criteria in 2008, business schools are keen to attract students who can form a diverse MBA class.
To this end many B-schools are offering weird and wonderful scholarships to ensure they have an ‘interesting’ student mix. Potential business school students, concerned about the credit crunch and apprehensive about sacrificing their bank account balance for further education and career advancement, may have more options than they think.
“Scholarships are an important tool for any business school to ensure a really diverse class,” says Helen Dowd, admissions director at Manchester Business School. She uses her scholarship fund to attract students of different industry backgrounds and nationalities.
The Skoll scholarship at Oxford University’s Said Business School is dedicated to individuals with backgrounds in ‘social entrepreneurship’, another increasingly popular theme amongst business schools.
TopMBA.com, the official website for the QS World MBA Tour (that organise business school information fairs), features a scholarships database with up-to-date listings of scholarships from over 150 different business schools. Scholarships on offer include those for; physical disability, demonstrated leadership, sporting ability, ethnicity and even sexual-orientation.
The Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley in California is using the scholarship card to reach out to the gay and lesbian population. “The Markowski-Leach Scholarship attempts to identify students who show promise of becoming positive role models for other lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT) people,” says Debi Fidler, director of financial aid at the Haas School of Business. According to the Markowski-Leach Scholarship website: ‘selected candidates must demonstrate their dedication to excellence in their lives through service, education, or employment,’ to be awarded this unique scholarship that is granted to six to eight new applicants and four to six continuing students each year.
Other unusual scholarships reward creativity, innovation, and even height and weight, for some undergraduates. Yes, that’s right — such inherited characteristics can qualify one for funding. The New England Chapter of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, The Little People of America, and Tall Clubs International are just a few of the organisations that award scholarships based on specific physical attributes.
In total, the business schools featured on TopMBA.com offer full or partial scholarships worth in excess of a staggering $100 million. Granted, perhaps 80 per cent of these are partial scholarships; in effect a subsidy on the true cost of the MBA, but still this can make even the most expensive MBA course affordable.
London Business School fees are 44,490, yet they offer over 500,000 in partial or full scholarships sponsored by the school, their alumni, or companies — like the new Deutsche Bank Scholarships for Women worth 20,000 for three successful female applicants each year.
Scholarships consistently rank as the most important expected source of finance for MBA applicants in emerging markets, according to the Tobmba.com Applicant Research report for 2008. This survey of almost 2,500 MBA applicants across the world indicates that Indian’s are among the top 10 nationalities in search of loans to fund their studies.
The top 10 nationalities searching for loans to fund their studies
The QS Scholarship programme, run in conjunction with the QS World MBA Tour, focuses on applicants who attend the tour and have demonstrated responsible leadership and community commitment in their academic or professional careers.
Scholarships are sponsored directly by QS and also by participating business schools like Wharton, Chicago, University of Toronto and Cass Business School. “All of our winners have done something remarkable in their lives,” says Zoya Zaitseva, QS Scholarship project manager.
“There are a huge number of scholarships available for aspiring MBAs,” says Zaitseva, “but up until now, finding them has often meant working your way through individual school websites. Knowing what’s out there is the first step.”
source: – Rediff.com
Summary: Looking at new survey findings that show how children and students who live abroad for a year and study, benefit for life from the experience
Whether the thought of one day living abroad has ever crossed your mind or not, there is new research to suggest that by encouraging your children to study and live abroad for at least a semester, you will be doing so much for their immediate and long term development.
The survey, published by the Institute for the International Education of Students, is based upon extensive research and feedback from students who have participated in study abroad programmes. It shows how children of all ages can benefit from time spent in a different culture, and how student aged ‘children’ of broad minded and encouraging parents can gain so much from their time spent abroad.
In this article we will touch on the top 10 reasons to encourage your children to study and live abroad for at least a semester, and we will show that those who commit to spending a year overseas away from home or college get the very most from their time abroad.
1) Increased self confidence – having to face up to new challenges alone is difficult for any of us at any age, but for students and young people the challenge can be so incredibly rewarding and it can build significant self confidence. Those who take the challenge of moving abroad to study and accepting all the tests that that decision can bring, end up coming out of the experience so much stronger.
2) Increased maturity – young people who set out alone to make a new life for themselves overseas, if only for a semester or a year, learn a great deal about the world, about themselves and about getting things done. This naturally leads to a rapid advancement in terms of gaining maturity, and this stands an individual in good stead for the immediate and long-term future.
3) Develop a broader mind – they say travel broadens the mind, and for youngsters who go abroad on their own and are willing to remain open and accepting of change and cultural differences, the experience can indeed be mind altering! Those who spend time abroad at a young age have a much broader view of the world and don’t just see things in relation to their own home environment.
4) Gain a greater interest in studying – according to the Institute for the International Education of Students, those who spend up to a year abroad studying actually gain a greater passion for study thanks to the broad range of subjects, skills and talents that they pick up from their time overseas. Naturally this can make the rest of a student’s academic studies that much more valued and valuable!
5) Greater commitment to learn a foreign language – those who study abroad in a country where they have to learn a new language find that after getting over the initial communication hurdles, learning a new language in an environment where the language in question is used all the time is not just fun but rewarding. This increases an individual’s passion and desire to continue learning that language.
6) Learn more about different cultures and values – as part of the concept of travel expanding the mind, those who spend time living abroad in a different culture begin to better understand their own culture and their own values and biases as well as those of their nation as a whole. This enables one to get things more in perspective in life, and appreciate that we are all individuals, we are all different, and we all deserve the same amount of respect – no matter where in the world we herald from.
7) Make more friends – anyone who embraces the idea of living abroad for a period of time will find that they make so many more friends! It is par for the course when living in a new country that you will seek out those who can make the experience easier and more fun – and in so doing an individual immediately vastly widens their circle of friends, and for many people these friendships exist for life and are life enhancing!
Find it easier to understand and interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
9) Learn new skills – some people who live abroad learn so much more than just the languages, they learn new skills and passions that influence the whole of the rest of their life – from the career they enter into to the person they marry!
10) Acquire a lifetime of benefits! Finally, it seems that those who move to live abroad and study abroad for at least a year gain so many rounding experiences and skills that their lives are positively and profoundly altered forever.
Therefore if you want your child to benefit from the above detailed advantages of spending time abroad, why not encourage them to take part in a well supervised and supported study abroad programme. You can rest assured that they will be taken care of, but at the same time they will have the space and freedom to grow and develop.
Study Abroad Guide-GECS India 
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