Bharti Airtel Foundation launches scholarship program

New Delhi: The Bharti Airtel Foundation has launched the 'Bharti Airtel Scholarship Program' to commemorate its 25th anniversary. 

According to the company, his merit-cum-means-based scholarship program aims to support deserving students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, with a focus on female students, pursuing Technology-based Engineering UG and integrated programs in the top 50 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) engineering colleges. The program will be applicable to students eligible for admission in August 2024.

The first batch will support 250 students, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Bharti Airtel Foundation. The program is designed to scale up incrementally with successful implementation through each cohort. The aim is to expand the reach to 4,000 scholars with an outlay of more than Rs 100 crore each year as the program reaches its peak.

The fully funded scholarship aims to dissolve financial barriers that hinder access to quality education for meritorious students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, Airtel has said. 

The scholarships will focus on UG and integrated courses in fields such as Electronics and Communication, Telecom, Information Technology, Computer Sciences, Data Sciences, and Emerging Technologies (AI, IoT, AR/VR, Machine Learning, Robotics) at the top 50 NIRF engineering colleges.

Recipients of this scholarship will be known as 'Bharti Scholars', who will receive 100 percent of their college fees throughout their course and will also be given a laptop. Additionally, hostel and mess fees shall be given to all eligible students who apply for it.

"The program aims to empower students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, particularly female students, to achieve academic excellence and pursue their dreams", Rakesh Bharti Mittal, vice chairman of Bharti Enterprises and co-chairman of Bharti Airtel Foundation, said, according to a release.