A prestigious scholarship programme, set up exclusively for Indian students to read for PhD and MPhil degrees at St John’s College,  University of  Cambridge, in areas such as science, technology and social sciences was  announced  by the college on November 27.  The scholarships, each worth GBP (Pounds Sterling) 35,000,  are called ‘Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships’, after the Prime Minister, who studied Economics at the Cambridge college in the late 1950s.

St John’s College is seeking to award the scholarships to each PhD student for up to three years, with three scholarships already planned for the year 2008-09. They would be based on merit through a special test, in order to ensure maximum effectiveness. Well-known organisations like Rolls-Royce India, the BP Foundation and the Tata Group have agreed to sponsor the scholarship programme, which will be administered by the British Council.
A selection committee, comprising a nominee from each sponsor and a panel of academics and others selected by St John’s College will be set up in India to make recommendations to the college regarding the profile of applicants for the scholarships.

 At a function organised at the New Delhi residence of Prime Minister on November 27, Dr Manmohan Singh – an Honorary Fellow of St John’s College – said the scholarship scheme would encourage Indian scholars to enhance their expertise in the area of research, and would further strengthen the educational ties between India and the United Kingdom.

Professor Christopher M Dobson, Master of the Cambridge college, said at the function: “St John’s College values its strong association with India.  This scholarship is our way to honour Dr Manmohan Singh for his pioneering role in the economic transformation of his country, one of the greatest achievements of any of our alumni….We are confident that this scholarship programme will bring lasting benefits to future generations of Indian students and help strengthen  Indo-UK ties even further.”

The Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, Professor Alison Richard, will be making a two-week visit to India in January 2008, celebrating the existing relationship and developing new collaborations with academic, business and political communities.

For further particulars about the scholarships and how to apply, e-mail delhi.scholarship@in.britishcouncil.org
Achal  Narayanan