In what could be described as a major initiative to promote and encourage Indian students to study and do research abroad, the famed Imperial College London announced scholarships of 400,000 pounds for students from India.
Out of this 50 per cent is reserved for women students.
This was announced by the college management on the occasion of the visit of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology to this institution in United Kingdom today. The Minister is leading a high-level official Indian delegation of the Ministry on a 6-day visit to the UK.
The College has had several academic collaborations with India and in the last five years the Imperial academics have co-authored more than 1,200 research publications with partners at more than 300 Indian institutions. Among its research partners in India are Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Christian Medical College, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research among others.
At present 700 Indian students are studying in the College while there is a community of more than 3,000 alumni.
Lively interaction with students of Imperial College #London. Spoke to them about pathbreaking reforms brought in last 9 years by PM Sh @narendramodi. India today an attractive destination for aspirational youth and #StartUps. pic.twitter.com/Sk9rAXzNbu
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) April 29, 2023
The Minister during his visit interacted with Indian students and said that he was glad to be in one of the most innovative universities in Europe which has given the world, among other things, penicillin, holography, and fibre optics.
Singh told the students that in the wake of a series of youth-centric policies initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this was possibly one of the best times happening for the youth and the students in India. He exhorted them to go back to India after completing their education as there is tremendous scope for them. He said for those interested in further research in science and technology, and other areas, there were several new openings in the country.
Imperial College London is a public research university and ranks first in the UK for research outputs, first in the UK for research environment, and first for research impact among Russell Group universities.