Transformative Education: King’s College London Announces Scholarships for Indian Students

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards: King’s College London Strengthens Ties with Indian Academia

In an exciting development for Indian students, King’s College London has announced a call for applications for the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Awards. These awards offer a substantial £10,000 (approximately Rs 11,26,000) fee waiver for postgraduate degrees, aimed at fostering a broader societal impact through higher education. Professor Shitij Kapur, the Vice-Chancellor of King’s College London and a graduate of AIIMS, expressed his pride in these awards specifically designed for Indian students. With a rich academic background that includes studying and teaching in the US, Canada, and Australia before joining King’s College London, he reflected on his journey from Delhi to pursue postgraduate studies abroad, acknowledging the transformative power of education. Professor Kapur also emphasized the university’s historical connection with India, dating back to the 19th century when freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu became one of its first female alumni.

Reflecting on his experience, Professor Kapur highlighted his connection to the growing Indian diaspora and predicted a continued rise in Indian students seeking world-class education over the next 10-15 years. This initiative will strengthen academic ties between King’s College London and India, encouraging students to contribute to society through advanced studies.

King’s College London was one of the first UK universities to teach Sanskrit and Bengali. Professor Kapur noted an increase in Indian applicants in recent years and acknowledged that UK university fees are a significant barrier for many students. To address this, the university introduced the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, now in their second year, offering 30 Indian students a chance to pursue full-time, on-campus postgraduate studies in London starting in September. Applicants must apply by the end of April. Professor Kapur emphasized that the university is particularly interested in how students plan to use their knowledge from King’s to positively impact their communities.

The application process involves students detailing their academic qualifications and explaining how their journey at King’s aligns with their long-term goal of making the world a better place. Professor Kapur welcomed the opening of new international university campuses in India, noting that the universities of Southampton and Surrey were among the early UK institutions to confirm their expansion plans in India. He expressed that the growth of high-quality university education in India presents an enormous opportunity, hoping this would lead to a range of offerings that provide students in India with diversity in both quality and price.

King's College already has joint programs with selected Indian universities, but it is too early to determine whether these could evolve into other forms of partnerships or campuses. However, Professor Kapur emphasized that India is central to the university’s focus when it comes to sourcing students. Regarding the two-year Graduate Route visa, which allows international students to gain work experience after completing their degrees, Professor Kapur expressed optimism that this would continue to attract Indian students. He stated that, based on available information, the government had not indicated any plans to change the Graduate visa, aside from potentially setting a salary threshold for the skilled worker visa.

On the wider immigration debate, Professor Kapur commented that the issue is not so much about public perception, as the British public is generally supportive and sees the benefits of international students. He noted that the real challenge lies in distinguishing the debate about international students from broader discussions on overall immigration numbers. He suggested that while monitoring student numbers is fine, it should be done separately from the wider immigration debate to ensure transparency. The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards at King’s College London present a remarkable opportunity for Indian students to access world-class education while contributing to their communities and society at large.

Editor's Note:

King’s College London’s Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Indian students is a significant move to promote global academic partnerships. Offering a £10,000 fee waiver for postgraduate degrees, underscores the university’s commitment to education as a tool for societal impact. Professor Shitij Kapur highlighted the growing Indian diaspora and the rising number of Indian students seeking world-class education, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to education. The initiative, alongside platforms like ASEAN GEMS and the ASEAN Student Mobility Program, shows a commitment to enhancing student mobility and international collaboration, providing ASEAN students with opportunities to gain global knowledge while staying connected to their roots. As debates around international student numbers continue, it’s vital to distinguish their valuable contributions from broader immigration issues. The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards offer Indian students a chance for top-tier education, fostering meaningful societal contributions and strengthening ties between India and the UK. 

Skoobuzz believes that this initiative reflects the university’s dedication to nurturing global talent and making a positive impact.