Study in UK:  Oxford University Launches Fully Funded Savitribai Phule Scholarship for Postgraduate Students 

The Somerville University of Oxford has launched a fully funded Savitribai Phule Graduate Scholarship for postgraduate students.  The scholarship was launched in response to low representation of Bahujan students among Indians studying in the UK. The announcement for the scholarship was made on 12th May by Lord Harries of Pentregarth with a keynote speech. He is the co-chair of the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group for Dalits).

The scholarship is applicable for both the lower caste students (ST/SC/OBC) . Additionally, the first generation postgraduate students can also apply for the scholarship. The Savitribai Phule Scholarship will cover the tuition fees and the living expenses of the beneficiary student. 

The Reasons for the Launch of the Savitribai Phule Graduate Scholarship at Oxford 

Jan Royall, the Principal of Somerville College, has established the Savitribai Phule Graduate scholarship in Savitribai Phule’s. The aim is to support the next generation of leaders from Dalit, Adivasi, and other underrepresented backgrounds. Consequently, the goal is to include people who have endured generations of social discrimination under the caste system. Moreover,the scholarship will provide the brilliant young people a platform to change the world.

Lord Harris praised the contribution made by Savitribai Phule and Joritaro Phule in the field of education and against caste discrimination. According to him, one of the first colleges in the UK is recognising India’s first female teacher . Moreover, Savitribai Phule and her husband have championed the causes of Dalits and women in India and tackled caste and gender discrimination.

Eligible Courses under the Savitribai Phule Graduate Scholarship 

Approximately, 10 courses are eligible courses for the new scholarship. Therefore, it includes the : MSc Economics for Development, MSc Environmental Change and Management, MSc Biodiversity Conservation and Management, and MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy. Other courses such as MSc Modern South Asian Studies,  Society and Environmental Governance, MSc Nature, Policy and Management and MSc Energy Systems is also available.

The first Savitribai Phule Graduate scholar is Niharika Singh. Niharika Singh will be studying MSc Nature, Society and Environmental Governance programme at the university’s School of Geography and the Environment. The Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development at Somerville College offers several scholarships, and the Savitribai Phule Graduate Scholarship is one of them.

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