Financial assistance for medical students

Pervin Malhotra

Financial assistance for medical students

Q. I am an academically bright student, having achieved top marks in Class X Board exams. I am presently studying in Class XII with physics, chemistry and biology as my subjects. I want to prepare for NEET and do an MBBS to become a doctor. But I am worried as my parents cannot support my education and I don’t know how to cover the expenses. I also don’t have the funds or guidance to prepare for the admission. Do you know of any organisation that can help me with a scholarship? — Zeenat Hasan

A. There are a number of scholarships available for medical students, however, they’re either partial or they do not guide you through the application process and college life. Since you’ve mentioned that you are academically bright and need financial support, you may want to look at the Vahani Scholarship. This is a unique scholarship that will cover all your financial expenses for college, on the basis of merit and need.

Vahani is a not-for-profit organization working to further the education and career prospects of exceptionally bright, under-served children in India. It provides funding to selected students for their college degree, accommodation and college expenses. It is a highly selective scholarship, where students are selected who have attained over 85 per cent in their Class X and XII exams and who have come from a difficult family background where their parents have not been able to support their education. They provide hands on mentorship and counselling to each and every student, advising on which colleges to apply to and also helping with internships and jobs after college. They believe in a holistic approach to education, and hold leadership and training workshops twice a year to train the scholars to become future leaders of change in their home communities and society. Vahani supports students in every field of education, including medicine. I would suggest you check their website for the eligibility criteria and to download their nomination and application form (www.vahanischolarship.com) which you must submit by 1st December 2018. The shortlisted applicants will be called to Delhi for a personal interview in January on the basis of which the selected students will be informed. This is an excellent opportunity for students like yourself.

Incidentally, in another welcome initiative, the only daughter in a family who wishes to pursue a Master degree, is now eligible to get Rs37,200 p.a. for pursuing a master’s degree from the Central government. I’m mentioning this here because the Application Deadline is November 30, 2018. Although it doesn’t apply to you, do pass on this information to any of your friends who are about to graduate. The financial assistance will contribute towards their pursuit of higher education.

Details: www.ugc.ac.in/sgc/default.aspx, https://scholarships.gov.in

Foundation programme is the base of BDes course

Q. I an currently in Class XII and I wish to pursue interior design. I’m preparing for the design school entrances also along with my Board exam preparation. What bothers me is that most of the colleges offer a compulsory foundation year. Since I am very sure about my field and am only looking at specialising in interiors, I feel this is a waste of a year. Is there a way out? —Divya Baxi

A. I think the foundation year is an excellent idea. For multiple reasons other than the fact that no learning goes waste.

The Foundation Programme of a BDes. programme at any good D-school is specially ‘designed’ to develop the requisite values, attitudes, and familiarise you with different materials (and their possibilities) besides honing the sensorial skills necessary for any design specialisation. You will become aware of the changing environment by constantly relating your learning to real-life situations.

It will give you the necessary direction, stimuli, facilities and experience to boost your creativity, thereby helping you discover your own identity, ability and potential.

The Foundation Programme is the basis on which the rest of the design curriculum is built. It will give you an opportunity to appreciate the multidisciplinary nature of design. When you see and mingle with students and teachers of areas of design other than your own, the cross-pollination of ideas and possibilities will open up possibilities you did not imagine existed!

Just go with the flow, and discover the magic of exploring colour, form, space, multimedia, photography and drawing skills for yourself! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

The foundation programme also serves another very useful purpose. Should the student wish to switch over to another area of design: communication, product, fashion, accessory, textile, multimedia & animation amongst several others, s/he can easily do so at the end of the year, without having to opt out of the institute and starting afresh. Your other classmates who are looking at pursuing regular academic courses after school would give their left arm and right leg to enjoy such flexibility. Count your blessings!

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