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| Monday, Aug 21, 2006
Crossing the seas on scholarship
On overseas scholarships such as Rhodes, Gates, Fulbright, & Chevening.
Chennai: Your decision to go overseas for higher education or research has to be followed by systematic effort in a disciplined manner. In most cases, parents or scholars may not be able to foot the bill, and therefore finding assistance from other sources is a vital part of study abroad.
An essential element in making a successful effort is the process of convincing others as to the purpose of your taking up the endeavour, your competence, and the need for external financial support.
You have to paint a compelling picture of yourself as a genuine scholar who will perform well, in order to establish that you deserve the support.
You should remember that there would be many others who compete with you in securing the assistance you have in mind. You should have winning skills to be a winning scholar. Writing down your objective with clarity, defining your intentions, and outlining your plans during and after the research/studies are significant parts of your efforts.
Do your homework
Identifying the right country/ university/ programme/ scholarship or other support is an integral part of your launching studies abroad.
This requires patient planning and execution. You should have a definite goal in view as to what kind of programme such as general/ vocational/ technical/ management you intend to pursue. The preparation of SOP (statement of purpose OR application essay) is very crucial. This should reflect your hope for the future, your individual stamp and your creativity. There are numerous agencies that help the really needy. If you can prove that you have something special in you, matters would be easier. Some call it USP or unique selling proposition — the one thing that makes you unique.
Resource on the Net
These days the Internet makes matters easy, as you can arrive at the sources for fellowships through intelligent use of search engines.
There are many scholarship sites. Remember that websites are big forests in which you may lose your way unless you proceed systematically. Typing in the right keywords will take you to the right websites quickly. Organisations usually offer assistance to scholars in specific fields. You have to identify organisations that operate in your chosen field. There are `paid sites' that help you in finding right sources; but you cannot trust all of them alike.
Operators of Internet fraud have entered the domain of scholarships and fellowships.
They may make fraudulent solicitations to prospective victims, asking for a filing fee or other up-front costs. Since they often target new and uninformed yet anxious-to-get-scholarship students, you should never disclose all your personal details, credit card particulars to strangers who may have an intention to deceive.
Be vigilant about those who make fabulous claims such as ``You can't get this information anywhere else,''
"You are now in the final stage of selection," ``You've been selected by our international foundation to receive a scholarship as a special case,'' or "Just give your credit card number; the rest is our job." At some stage after they have won your trust through mail for a few weeks, they may seek processing charges with an intention to cheat.
Let us now look at some of the scholarship and fellowship programmes of repute.
Rhodes Scholarship
This is a prestigious scholarship, tenable at the University of Oxford.
Election to the scholarship is normally for two years; may be renewed, at the discretion of Trustees, for a third and final year for those who were initially admitted to Oxford to pursue a doctoral degree. Covers approved university and college fees and other charges for which payment is made directly to the Scholar's college, and living expenses.
The Trust will also meet the cost of a Scholar's air travel, economy class,
to the United Kingdom and of return to India on completion of studies at Oxford. Age: 19 - 25 years
At least a first class degree in Humanities, Sciences, Law, Engineering, Agriculture or Medicine from an Indian university.
Candidates who are in the final year of a degree course and have exceptionally bright academic record may also apply.
Contact: Office of the Indian Secretary, Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee, PO Box 2108, Delhi - 110 007; e-mail:secretary@rhodesscholarships-india.com
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Must have a first class or high second class honours degree or its equivalent. Should normally be under the age of 30. Must apply to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses study: Research leading to the Ph.D degree, One-year postgraduate courses (M.Phil, LLM, Diploma, etc.) Second Bachelor degree as an Affiliated Student. MBB Chair Clinical Studies: Must be admitted to Cambridge through the University's normal academic procedures. They cover the full cost of study at Cambridge for a single person — all approved university and college tuition fees, a maintenance allowance, a further discretionary allowance for study-related activities, and one return economy airfare between U.K. and the scholar's normal country of residence.
Contact : Gates Cambridge Trust, PO Box 252, Cambridge CB2 1TZ, England; e-mail: info@gates.scholarships.cam.ac.uk
Fulbright Fellowships
Support for a wide variety of programmes in the U.S.
Enable the scholars to undertake useful service back in the home country after the tenure. Should have a high level of academic/ professional achievement.
Contact Executive Director, USEFI, Fulbright House, 12 Hailey Road, New Delhi-110 001, or United States Educational Foundation in India,
American Consulate building, 220 Anna Salai, Chennai 600 006; Phone: 044-28112049, 28112000; e-Mail: usefimas@md2.vsnl.net.in. Website: http://www.fulbright-india.org/
British Chevening Scholarship Programme
Chevening scholarships offer an opportunity to deserving Indian students and professionals who wish to study or train in the U.K.,
to achieve their goals, by providing financial assistance. The scholarships cover tuition fee (up to a maximum of £12,000) and living expenses for scholars going for one-year master's programmes. International airfares are normally not covered. Master's courses of more than 12 months duration, Ph.D and other research courses are not considered. For short courses, all costs except international airfares. Chevening scholars must study in the U.K. for at least three months. Can be used to study most subjects. Eligibility: Indian nationals of outstanding academic ability; age: 25-35 years.
Course / Institution Selection: Search website. Detailed information and application forms at:
1. The British Council, 737 Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002 (Ph:
044- 52050600; email: Chennai.scholarship@in.britishcouncil.org
2. British Library, 23, Kasturba Road Cross, Bangalore 560 001
Phone: 080- 22213485k; email: bl.bangalore@in.britishcouncil.org
3. British Library, 5-9-22 Sarovar Centre, Secretariat Road,
Hyderabad 500 063; Phone: 040- 2348 3333; email: bl.hyderabad@in.britishcouncil
4. British Library, YMCA Building, Thiruvananthapuram
695 001 (Phone: 0471-2330716, 2337717; email: bl.trivandrum@in
The British Council provides a comprehensive pre-departure package of services — gratis UK visa,
advice on studying and living in the U.K., travel, reception, payments and advice on accommodation as well as welfare of the scholars in the U.K.
Courtesy: The Hindu
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