On February 6, 2024, in New Delhi, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme and launched the Vidyanjali Fintech Portal.
"The initiative aims to connect schools with diverse volunteers from the Indian Diaspora, including young professionals, retired teachers, government officials, professionals from various sectors, NGOs, private and public sector companies, corporate institutions, and others," stated the official portal of Vidyanjali.
The event at the Rang Bhawan, All India Radio, Sansad Marg, New Delhi was attended by dignitaries such as Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Shri K. Sanjay Murthy; Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Shri Sanjay Kumar; Executive Director, EdCIL, Dr. Chandrashekhar, and commissioner of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Vinayak Garg.
During his address, Shri Pradhan highlighted the significance of the Vidyanjali Scholarship Program in line with the NEP 2020, emphasizing its role in providing educational opportunities to economically disadvantaged students. He praised the achievements of NVS students, noting their success in prestigious institutes like IITs and NITs without resorting to coaching centers, and announced scholarships totaling Rs. 5 crore for 70 students.
Shri Pradhan expressed that nation-building requires collective effort, and he found it heartening to witness corporations eagerly stepping up to sponsor academically talented students who lack the financial resources for education. He emphasized that the philanthropic actions of donor organizations will motivate more corporations to empower needy students and foster a culture of educational support.
Dharmendra Pradhan announced that more than 34,000 students graduating from Navodaya Vidyalayas annually can utilize the portal to access higher education funding, extending to students from 650 Navodaya Vidyalayas spread across 638 districts in tier 1, 2, and 3 cities, enabling them to register and apply for scholarships.
The Minister awarded scholarships to six students from Navodaya Vidyalayas who secured admission to top higher educational institutes (HEIs) in India. The EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme aims to revolutionise access to quality education, aligning with NEP 2020 and fostering collaboration between the government and private sector towards educational inclusivity and socio-economic upliftment.
Shri K. Sanjay Murthy credited the initiation of the program to NEP 2020, emphasizing its focus on channeling philanthropy towards education. He praised the achievements of JNV students in prestigious institutes and urged for more sponsor support. Meanwhile, Shri Sanjay Kumar highlighted Navodaya Vidyalaya students' academic excellence from rural backgrounds, stressing the importance of good pedagogy and opportunities. He announced plans for Summer Camps and called for increased sponsor backing.
During the event, the Minister interacted with JNV students and corporate CSR sponsors. Significant MoUs were exchanged between CSR sponsors/impact founders, including Fiat India, HDFC Bank Limited, ClearMedi Healthcare, Bharat Forge, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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