The Odisha Higher Education Department today launched the Videsh Siksha Bruti (Foreign Education Scholarship) Scheme, marking a significant step towards supporting meritorious SC/ST students aspiring to pursue higher studies abroad.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj formally inaugurated the scheme, which will be implemented from the academic year 2025–26.
Under the scheme, SC and ST students belonging to families with an annual income of Rs 12 lakh or below are eligible to apply. Applicants must have secured admission into Postgraduate or PhD programmes in Top 200 QS Ranking Foreign Universities/Institutions to qualify.
Applications will be invited twice a year—during July–August and December–January. Each year, 50 students will be awarded the scholarship, distributed as follows:
- ♦Engineering & Technical Education: 10 students (4 PG, 6 PhD)
- ♦Medical, Agriculture, Architecture & Other Technical Courses: 10 students (4 PG, 6 PhD)
- ♦Courses under the Higher Education: 30 students (10 PG, 20 PhD).
- ♦Each selected student will receive a scholarship of up to Rs 25 lakh per year to support their studies.
In addition to the launch of the scholarship scheme, the Department issued appointment letters to 34 candidates in Group C and Group D posts across aided colleges under Rehabilitation Assistance. The newly appointed staff members received their appointment letters from the Minister and expressed gratitude to the Government.
The event also marked a major milestone as the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) was granted the copyright to conduct Academic Performance Audits (APA) of higher educational institutions across the state. This will enable OSHEC to effectively assess and enhance academic standards. Odisha has become the first state in India to implement such a system.
Speaking on the occasion, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the higher education ecosystem in the state. He noted that the scholarship scheme would help SC/ST students realise their dream of studying abroad without financial barriers. He further stated that the Academic Performance Audit by OSHEC will enhance the quality and accountability of higher educational institutions.
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Higher Education Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aravind Agrawal encouraged the newly appointed employees to perform their duties with sincerity and highlighted various initiatives undertaken to strengthen the higher education framework in Odisha.
Director of Higher Education Kali Prasanna Mahapatra delivered the welcome address. Senior officials and staff of the Department attended the programme.
