University of Cambridge announces Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship

The scholarship programme has been set up exclusively for Indian students to read for Ph D & M Phil degrees at St Johns College in areas such as science, technology and social sciences. St Johns College, where Prime Minister Dr Singh studied for a First in economics in the late 1950s, is seeking to award 35,000 scholarships per annum to each PhD student for up to three years, with three scholarships already planned for the year 2008-09. The scholarship would be based on merit through a special test, in order to ensure maximum effectiveness.

On the occasion, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said, We are a nation of young people. Once unleashed, the energy of our youth will drive India onto a new growth path. This scholarship will encourage Indian scholars to enhance their expertise in the area of research. With our recent unprecedented economic growth of over 9 percent per year, this scholarship will prove to further strengthen the education ties between India and the UK.

Organizations like Rolls-Royce India, BP Foundation and the Tata Group 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 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, said Professor Christopher M. Dobson, Master of St. Johns College. Professor Dobson added, We are confident that this scholarship programme will bring lasting benefits to the future generations of Indian students and help strengthen the Indo-UK ties even further.

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