THE Government of India has announced a special scholarship programme for children of persons of Indian origin and non-resident Indians (NRIs) keen to pursue undergraduate professional and general courses in India for the 2009/10 academic year.
The scheme — called Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children or SPDC — is for courses in disciplines such as engineering, architecture, technology, humanities, liberal arts, commerce, management, journalism, hotel management, agriculture, animal husbandry, sciences and law.
It does not include programmes like medicine and related courses.
The scholarship covers 75% of the institutional economic cost — which comprises tuition and hostel fees and other institutional charges — or US$3,600 (RM11,720), whichever is lower.
NRI candidates are only eligible to apply if the total family income does not exceed US$2,250 (RM7,319).
Children of NRIs who intend to apply should have pursued at least three years of education — inclusive of 11th and 12th grade or its equivalent — in a foreign country during the last six years, and must have passed the qualifying examination abroad.
Candidates will be selected based on the results of a common entrance test (comprising objective type questions on English, Reasoning Ability and General Awareness), to be conducted by Educational Consultants India Limited (Ed.CIL).
This test will be held on Oct 26 at the High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur.
Candidates with 60% aggregate marks or equivalent scores in 12th grade, or its equivalent as recognised by the Association of Indian Universities, are also eligible to sit for the entrance test.
In addition, candidates should have studied the prescribed subjects at the qualifying examination level for a particular course of study.
Applicants who intend to take the qualifying examination in March or April next year may also apply to sit for the test.
Such candidates will, however, be admitted to the institute only if they can submit all the required testimonials to Ed.CIL by June 10 next year. They also have to meet the requirements of the common entrance test.
Those interested in the scholarship may get application forms from the High Commission of India (Education Section) at 2, Jalan Taman Duta, Off Jalan Duta, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Enquiries can be directed to 03-2093 3510, ext 410, or faxed to 03-2092 2339. Application forms can also be downloaded from
www.indianhighcommission.com.my.
Completed forms should be sent directly to: The Project Manager (SPDC), Educational Consultants India Limited (Ed.CIL), Placement and Secondment Division, Ed.CIL House, No. 18A, Sector-16A, NOIDA-201 301, Uttar Pradesh (UP), India.
A photocopy of the application form should be sent to the High Commission of India (Education Section) in KL for record-keeping purposes.
The closing date for applications is Sept 9.
For more information on the SPDC scheme, visit
www.edcil.co.in or
www.educationindia4u.nic.in.
