A private university in Assam announced on Saturday an admission fee waiver for eligible students from violence-hit Manipur.

The Guwahati-based Royal Global University launched the Hope for Manipur Scholarship, focussing on children of families affected by the ethnic strife in the neighbouring state, a statement said.

The scholarship aims to support the students and families affected by the ongoing violence, ensuring that education remains uninterrupted and accessible, it said.

The initiative is part of the university’s broader campaign, “Northeast Can’t Wait. Padho! Kuch Bano”. For Manipur, this campaign has been rechristened as “Manipur Can’t Wait Even in Tough Times”, it added.

“Education is a beacon of hope and a trajectory for a brighter future. Through this scholarship we aim to provide financial relief and a supportive environment for students whose lives have been disrupted by violence,” said A.K. Pansari, the chancellor of the university.

Supporting the initiative, a Manipuri climate activist Licypriya Kangujam said, “Education is a powerful tool for change.”

The scholarship offers a complete waiver of admission fees for students from the violence-affected families of Manipur. They would need to provide evidence for financial aid to avail the waiver, the statement said.

Low women enrolment

Assam governor Gulab Chand Kataria has urged technical institutes to encourage the enrolment of more female students as the number of females taking admissions in such courses is fewer than males.

Speaking at the 6th convocation of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Guwahati, on Friday, he pointed out that technical educational institutes have a lower female enrolment rate than conventional institutes.

He asked the authorities of these institutes to find ways to encourage more girls to join the technical courses.

Girls have demonstrated their capability in every field and providing them with proper opportunities would be the right way to empower them, Kataria said.