The Jharkhand government has announced scholarships to 10 talented Scheduled Tribe students every year for pursuing studies in leading foreign universities.

Scholarships will be given to students pursuing masters or M.Phil programmes in some selected subjects at particular foreign universities.

Instituted in memory of the iconic tribal leader, it will be known as the Marang Gomke (meaning great leader) Jaipal Singh Foreign Scholarship Scheme 2020, informed a circular issued by the state’s Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Castes, minorities and backward classes welfare department.

The local students did not get enough scope for proper utilisation of their talent primarily because of limited opportunities available within the state, the circular, signed by departmental secretary Amitabh Kaushal, mentioned as the reason behind instituting the scholarship.

“Financial assistance will be given to ten selected talented students belonging to Scheduled Tribes every year for pursuing masters/M.Phil programmes in leading foreign universities,” it added.

The eligible ST students who are permanent residents of Jharkhand can avail the scholarship up to the age of 40 years if they pursue full degree programme for masters or M.Phil of duration of either one year or two years, the circular informed, adding priority would be given to such students who will have some teaching or work experience in related fields.

The state government will offer the selected students their actual course fee, annual maintenance allowance of £10,000 and annual contingency and equipment allowance of £1,200, besides visa fee, cost of air passage and medical insurance premium.

But the offer will be limited to only to those going for studying at 15 chosen universities of Great Britain and Northern Ireland such as Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, Bristol, Sussex, Imperial College London and London School of Economics and Political Science.

The scholarship will also be limited to students pursuing higher studies in 22 selected subjects only.

The subjects will include anthropology/sociology, agriculture, art and culture, climate change, development studies, environment science, forest conservation and ecology, law and human rights, media and communication, public policy, sports medicine, tourism and hospitality and sustainable development.

“The scope of the scholarship may later be extended to other subjects and also leading universities of other countries,” the government circular assured.