NEW DELHI: Somerville College announces the launch of the Dr Gita Piramal Scholarship, in collaboration with the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD) and Piramal family. This full scholarship is set to provide opportunities for Indian students, supporting them to pursue their higher education at the University of Oxford. Candidates can check the eligibility criteria and application details at some.ox.ac.uk/the-oicsd/scholarships/dr-gita-piramal-scholarship.
This scholarship seeks to honour Dr Gita Piramal, one of India’s business historians, and recognise her significant contributions to academia and corporate leadership. Dr Piramal has been a long-standing associate of Somerville College, serving as a Senior Associate Fellow and a mentor to many. Her pioneering work on corporate India, with books central to MBA courses worldwide, has shaped the thinking of future business leaders, an official statement issued in this regard said.
According to the statement, the Dr Gita Piramal Scholarship aims to elevate the brightest Indian minds, offering full tuition, along with a stipend for living expenses. Designed for financially disadvantaged students, this scholarship will run for an initial five years, enriching India’s intellectual pool, and contributing to the country’s sustainable growth.
Reflecting on the partnership, Dr Piramal stated, “India is my family home, and Somerville has been my intellectual home for many years. This scholarship will enable bright young minds from India to benefit from Oxford’s rich academic environment, contributing to India’s future development.”
Jan Royall, Principal of Somerville College, expressed her admiration for Dr Piramal’s contributions, saying: “It is a privilege to honour such a longstanding friend of the College in this way. Dr Piramal’s name will be associated with empowering brilliant Indian students, allowing them to experience the world-class education Oxford offers, and to give back to India in meaningful ways.”
Since its inception in 2013, the OICSD has supported over 60 Indian students at Oxford, with many returning to India to tackle challenges in healthcare, technology, and climate change. The addition of the Dr Gita Piramal Scholarship strengthens this mission, ensuring that Indian students from underprivileged backgrounds can access world-class education and contribute to global and national solutions.
Agencies