Tata Steel, in association with the American Field Service (AFS), has decided to sponsor three tribal students, one each from Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhattisgarh, for higher studies abroad for one year in 2009-10.
The students, to be selected according to the norms of the AFS, will be eligible for the Tata Steel Centenary Scholarships.
Though Tata Steel has been interacting proactively with tribals for long, this is the first time it has agreed to sponsor tribal students for studying abroad.
According to Partha Sengupta, vice-president (corporate services) of Tata Steel, “The step has been taken by Tata Steel as it realises potential and talent in aspiring tribal students. They have the capability, intelligence and drive to lead respectable lives, and Tata Steel is more than willing to partner them in fulfilling their dreams.”
AFS, a leader in inter-cultural learning, is one of the world’s largest community-based volunteer organisations dedicated to create a just and peaceful world through international exchange. It offers international exchange programmes in over 50 countries.
The steel major has been working for several years now in providing education to local children through its various literacy programmes which include camp schools for girls in the age group of 9-14 years for basic education and early childhood education centres for young children for primary education.
Tata Steel has instituted scholarships for tribal students like the Moodie Endowment, Jyoti Fellowship, Millennium Scholarship and VG Gopal Scholarship.
Tata Steel’s is committed to provide 100% free scholarships to all SC/ST students studying in the IITs.
At present, two ST students are being sponsored at IIT Chennai and IIT Roorkee.