Creating opportunities through our most generous scholarship
Created in collaboration with the Asha Society in India, the scholarship is worth up to AU$60,000 (IND 2,930,000) a year and is the most generous coursework scholarship the University of Sydney has ever offered. It will cover the cost of postgraduate tuition fees, a place at St Paul's College, flights, textbooks and health cover and is only available to current residents of communities in Delhi, India where the Asha Society works.
We created the India specific scholarships because we recognise the vital importance of Australia’s relationship with India, an importance that will only increase in future years.
Scholarship recipient Abhishek Handa (back-R) with the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney Dr Michael Spence (front-L), Founder and Director of the Asha Society Dr Kiran Martin (centre) and representatives from the University of Sydney.
University of Sydney’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence was in Delhi to launch the scholarship and to meet this year’s inaugural recipient.
“We created the India specific scholarships because we recognise the vital importance of Australia’s relationship with India, an importance that will only increase in future years. Creating an opportunity for the future leaders of India and Australia to study together at our University is one small way of supporting this relationship,” Dr Spence said.
“We also recognise that talent is not restricted to any particular social or economic background and that for many the dream of studying internationally is just that, a dream. We hope that this scholarship will mean that financial need does not prevent a young person of outstanding talent from realising their potential."
Professor John Shields from the University of Sydney Business School (centre-L) with Abhishek Handa (centre-R) and members of Abhishek's family.
In a ceremony on Wednesday, this year’s scholarship was awarded to Abhishek Handa from Peeragarhi in Northern Delhi. He will be starting a Master of Management (CEMS) degree in Semester 1, 2020 at the University of Sydney.
“Never in my wildest dream, could I have imagined that I would be admitted to an international master’s program at such a prestigious university. I consider myself to be lucky to be the first recipient of this scholarship. I will also be the first student from the slums of Delhi to go to Sydney for a master’s program,” Abhishek said.
“Growing up, going to university was the farthest thing I could imagine because no one in my family had gone to university. It was when I met the Asha team in my slum that I was motivated, encouraged, and inspired to go to the University of Delhi for further studies.”
Abhishek completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Delhi earlier this year.
“My other goal is to pay it forward to other young people living in disadvantaged communities. I hope to inspire hundreds of young people to pursue higher education and build strong careers.”
“I began to study at the Asha centre instead of my home because they provided a quiet and safe environment for me to study. They mentored me and provided me with study material which helped me to excel in my exams," Abhishek said.
“My other goal is to pay it forward to other young people living in disadvantaged communities. I hope to inspire hundreds of young people to pursue higher education and build strong careers.”
"Education is the only way to break the cycle of poverty forever and transform not only the individual but also their families and their community."
Dr Kiran Martin, founder and director of the Asha Society, started the organisation in 1988 to empower disadvantaged communities in Delhi and provide families a pathway out of poverty. Over three decades, the organisation has worked with around 1 million people from around 100 slum communities in New Delhi. Since 2008, 2700 students have been able to pursue a university degree thanks to the support Asha has provided them.
“Education is the only way to break the cycle of poverty forever and transform not only the individual but also their families and their community. A good education will lead to a good employment prospect and they will be able to access and enjoy a different world and their entire perspective towards life will change,” Dr Martin said.
University of Sydney scholarship schemes
The Sydney Scholars India Equity Scholarship for postgraduate course work follows on from the Sydney Scholars (India) Scholarships, announced in February this year. Combined, the two scholarship schemes are worth AU$560,000 (INR 27,350,000) a year and are awarded to 20 international students from India annually.
Dr Michael Spence visited the high schools of the inaugural recipients of the two major scholarships offered under the Sydney Scholars India Scholarship program. He awarded the schools a trophy in recognition of the achievements of their alumni and delivered a talk to the students about education in the fourth industrial revolution.
The two scholarship recipients for the Sydney Scholars India Scholarship are:
- Aryan Bhatia from Delhi Public School, who is now undertaking a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Madhullikaa Singh from Bombay International School, who is now undertaking a Bachelor of Arts and Advanced Studies
