Gates and Melinda Foundation scholarships announced

Gates and Melinda Foundation and University of Cambridge, announced one of the world’s largest scholarships programs ever for University education,   valued at £150million ($210m), where 55 scholars were selected from 29 countries representing 68 universities, from 3730 applicants, for their exceptional academic performance, including intellectual ability, leadership skills, academic eligibility and their commitment to improve the lives of others.

Graduate students from every country in the world outside the UK will be able to apply for scholarship, which cover all costs, including tuition, maintenance and travel.. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hopes to create a network of future leaders who will bring new vision and commitment to improving the life circumstances of citizens in their respective countries. The scholarships are for a tenure of one to three years with the possible extension of a fourth year.

Students apply through www.gates.scholarsbhipscam.ac.uk or by telephoning the Gates Cambridge Trust office at 01223 338467.

Three students from Indian origin won the prestigious scholarship including Malavika Nair, Sagnik Dutta, Sampurnanand Chakrabarti.

According to Malavika Nair, who will join Churchill college in Cambridge to pursue her PhD in Material Science project specializing three dimensional environment for tissue regeneration, said, “ Everyone is so passionate about what they wish to do and how they like to impact the lives of others, as this is a fantastic opportunity to be able to meet some individuals who have accomplished so much in their lives and who are more than happy to explain and discuss their work with you.”

Malavika had done volunteer in housebuilding projects like Habitat for Humanity in Vietnam in June 2011 and Tabitha Foundation Cambodia in June 2009. She has been awarded the McLeod Award  for her personal development and experience as measured by the Overseas Family School learning outcomes.

Malavika has lived in Singapore all her life and completed her primary and secondary education, later moved to Cambridge for her Bachelors and Masters degree specializing in material science and metallurgy.

Malavika’s parents hail from Thriubananthapuram, Kerala, India, move to Singapore when she was young and her dad owns a software company.