From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Dec 7: Karnataka is launching, ‘Prabhuddha’, a scholarship scheme to enable students from economically disempowered SC/ST communities for their higher education, in the world’s best universities.
For the first time, students from SC/ST and other vulnerable communities, will be able to pursue their undergraduate, post graduate and PhD programmes in international universities at little or no cost through the new scholarship scheme being launched by the State Social Welfare Department.
Prabuddha scheme will cover the student’s course fees, living expenditure and airfare to the country in which the student is pursuing their studies.
Further, 33% special reservation will be made in scholarships, for women candidates every year and 4% reservation for differently abled students.
The Prabuddha scheme will cover up to 100% of education expenses for students whose total annual family income is less than Rs 8 lac, 50% of expenses for students whose family income is more than Rs 8 lakh but less than Rs 15 lac and 33% for those whose annual income exceeds Rs 15 lac.
Announcing the details of the scheme, Dr G Parameshwara, Deputy Chief Minister said, “This is a pioneering move. Often access to education is limited because of lack of funds, and social pressures.’’
"With this scheme, we are removing at least one of the barriers to education for SC/ST students and are enabling the dreams of so many of our worthy and meritorious students. We hope that more students from across the state benefit from this scheme and contribute towards improving their own lives, the communities they come from, and our state too,’’ he said.
The Department of Social Welfare has taken great care had been taken to ensure equitable distribution of scholarship funds and that sufficient checks and balances had been introduced to ensure the scheme would be fair to all applicants, any student will be eligible to apply for the scheme only once, whether UG, PG or PhD, and that no more than two students from any one family can apply for the scholarship.
Talking about the scholarship, Priyank Kharge, Social Welfare Minister, said, Dr BR Ambedkar dreamt of enlightened India, Prabhuddha Bharatha.
“Government of Karnataka strongly believes in enabling students to broaden their horizons for the betterment of the society. We will give them an opportunity to flourish in a global environment and hope that these students will come back to contribute to the society and the State of Karnataka. Our vision is to ensure that aspiring students do not go through the same struggle that Babasaheb Ambedkar faced while he studied abroad,’’ Kharge added.
The minister said adequate measures have been taken to ensure students who apply for the scheme have the required eligibility for international study, and that funds will be transferred only on receipt of proof of enrolment and other documentation.
Students applying for the scholarship can to do so online, after submitting required proofs and documents, also online at (www.scholarshipwebsiteaddress.gov.in).
The applications form to be available on the website from December 15, 2018.