Zafin, a global banking technology company, unveiled their inaugural Aspire and Achieve global scholarships. Each scholarship, valued at over Rs four lakhs, is dedicated to supporting female students pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses. The Scholarship programme will recognise four exceptional female students, one from each of the regions where Zafin operates: India, APAC, EMEA and the Americas. These students must be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s programme at an accredited university. The scholarships are designed to promote diversity and inclusivity within STEM fields, according to an official release.
Prospective candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can submit their scholarship applications until November 30, 2023, using the Aspire and Achieve platform on the Zafin website. The announcement of the scholarship recipients is slated for late January 2024, the release mentioned.
The company claims that it is dedicated to nurture a skilled, diverse and inclusive engineering and tech workforce. Globally, girls pursuing STEM courses in higher education represent only 18%, while boys account for 35%, resulting in a noticeable shortage of female talent in the technology workforce. In India, although the statistics are more favorable, with women constituting 43% of engineering graduates, nearly 50% of them exit the workforce by their mid-thirties, the release stated.
“We firmly believe that diversity serves as a catalyst for innovation and we are resolutely committed to addressing the gender gap within the technology sector. The internship is designed to help young talent get hands-on experience and exposure to a rapidly transforming sector like banking technology,” Suja Chandy, managing director, Zafin India, said.