Somerville College, part of the University of Oxford in England, has partnered with the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD) and the Piramal family to introduce a transformative scholarship Dr Gita Piramal Scholarship to extend support to talented Indian students hailing from financially deprived backgrounds encouraging them to pursue their higher education. OICSD was established by the Oxford-India partnership to advance research on the complex challenges and opportunities posed by sustainable development in India.
The scholarship is named after Dr.Gita Piramal, one of the leading entrepreneurs of India to acknowledge her remarkable contributions to academics and corporate leadership. It covers full tuition fees and provides a living stipend to the students, ensuring that financial limitations do not hinder deserving students’ academic ambitions.
On October 17, 2024, Somerville College hosted a significant event to commemorate the launch of the scholarship, attended by Dr. Gita Piramal and other distinguished guests. The gathering emphasized the longstanding connection between Oxford and India, with a focus on future partnerships aimed at promoting sustainable development through education.
Dr.Gita Piramal Scholarship by Oxford University: A bird’s eye view
Since OICSD’s establishment in 2013, it has assisted more than sixty Indian students at Oxford, many of whom have returned to India to address issues in healthcare, technology, and climate change. The introduction of the Dr. Gita Piramal Scholarship further enhances this mission, enabling students from disadvantaged backgrounds to obtain a world-class education and participate in solutions for both global and national challenges. A single scholarship is available for applicants starting in 2025.
Dr.Gita Piramal Scholarship: Eligibility criteria
Candidates must have an in-depth knowledge of the eligibility criteria for the scholarship. It is applicable to students typically residing in India. The courses that are eligible for the Dr.Gita Piramal Scholarship are listed below:
- MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Nature Recovery
- MSc in Economics for Development
- MSc in Education (Child Development and Education)
- MSc in Education (Comparative and International Education)
- MSc in Education (Digital and Social Change)
- MSc in Energy Systems
- MSc in Environmental Change and Management
- MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy
- MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology
- MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Governance
- MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management
Scholarships will be granted on the basis of academic excellence, the relevance of the chosen field of study to the interdisciplinary objectives of the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development, awareness of the development challenges confronting India, and potential for leadership and entrepreneurship. Additionally, financial need will be considered.
Who received the inaugural scholarship?
Sanjana Choudhary, a distinguished journalist and first-generation scholar, has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural scholarship. Currently pursuing an MSc in Modern South Asian Studies, Sanjana’s research focuses on global solidarity movements, post-colonial labor rights, and racial capitalism. Her work has already attracted attention, with pieces published in respected outlets like The Caravan and Duke University Press.
Dr.Gita Piramal Scholarship: Selection process
This scholarship is only offered at Somerville. All eligible candidates who have applied for graduate study by the relevant funding deadline will be considered, regardless of which college preference is included in the graduate application. Successful candidates will be transferred to Somerville in order to take up the scholarship. Shortlisting and interviews are anticipated to take place in April 2025.
All candidates who meet the residency criteria and have applied for one of the eligible courses will be emailed at the end of February 2025. They will be invited to complete a short online form to confirm they would like to be considered for the scholarship and that their studies are relevant to the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development. They will also be asked to provide information about their financial circumstances.
Who is Dr.Gita Piramal?
Piramal has been serving as a Senior Associate Fellow at Somerville College, University of Oxford. Her groundbreaking research on corporate India, featuring books that are integral to MBA programs globally, has influenced the perspectives of aspiring business leaders. She possesses a diverse experience of working in numerous domains, such as entrepreneur, journalist, and author.
