Now, the talented and skilled students belonging to the poor Dalit families and Scheduled Tribe (ST) can now dream to fly abroad to study as Delhi Government on Thursday has approved a foreign fellowship scheme under which the Delhi government will fund 100 eligible SC/ST students to study abroad.
The ‘Dr Ambedkar Foreign University fellowship’ was a proposal of Delhi Social Welfare Department and has been approved by the Delhi Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
After getting admission from the foreign institute the student can apply for the SC/ST scholarship. The scholarship will be provided for the students applying for masters and PhD program, M Phil, LLM, M.Tech in foreign universities and the students with an annual income of not above of Rs 8 Lakh will be eligible for the scheme.
“ Saiyyaji Rao Gaekwad, the erstwhile ruler of Baroda state given a scholarship to Bhim Rao Ambedkar to study in London and he wrote the constitution of India. Thus, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is following the footsteps and has pledged to give wings to the students to fly as education is very important. If you will give education to the poor and needy, they will change the society and to see the country in top, education is must,” said the Rajendra Pal Gautam, the Minister of SC/ST and the architect of the proposal.
"The student who have secured admission in foreign universities and are eligible for the scheme can apply online to avail benefits under the scheme. A committee has been set up headed by the Principal Secretary of the SC/ST department will select the students,” said Gautam.
As per government, the candidates applying for the fellowship should be a bonafide resident of Delhi and their annual family income should not exceed Rs 8 lakh per annum.
“A scholarship of Rs 10 lakh will be provided for two year course, while up to Rs 20 lakh will be provided for four year course. Despite having talent and skills, many students belonging to SC/ST students from low-income groups did not able to fulfill their dream due to poverty and financial constraints but this scheme will encourage and fulfill the dreams of 100 students,” said the minister.
Candidates pursuing a master-level course and PhD in foreign universities in the field of science, engineering, management, medicine, commerce, humanities, social science, and fine arts are given USD 15,400 or around Rs 10 lakh under the scheme.
It is also to be remember the AAP government has also successfully implemented Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Yojana in November 2017 which provides free coaching to SC/ST students to crack competitive exams such as engineering, medical and civil services.
Under the scheme about 4,953 students enrolled in the batch of 2018-19, out of which about 107 students were enrolled for free medical examinations coaching and about 13 students Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and 22 students cleared National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) with the help of this scheme.