Cambridge varsity to raise funds for scholarships

The University of Cambridge is planning to raise about one billion pound (about Rs 7,761 crore) over the next four years through various sources to provide financial assistance to students, including those from India.

The funds would be raised through the university's alumni, charitable trusts, foundations and corporates.

The fund-raising programme, part of Cambridge's 800th Anniversary Campaign, aims at providing better financial support packages and scholarships to students as well as for research, University vice-chancellor Alison Richard said.

"There are a number of Indian students in our university and we want more. A substantial amount of the fund would be used to provide full scholarships to Indian students who are not able to pursue courses at the university due to financial constraints," Richard said.

She said the varsity was looking to create a network of 1,200-strong Indian alumni.

It would also sign MoUs with various Indian colleges and corporates to facilitate exchange programmes. It has already entered into such an agreement with industry body CII.

Richard, the first woman vice-chancellor of Cambridge is on a 10-day visit to India for the launch of a Chair in honour of Jawaharlal Nehru, an alumnus of the university.

The 'Jawaharlal Nehru Professorship of Indian Business and Enterprise' is being established with the aim of exploring partnerships with Indian business and academic institutes in areas of research and development. — PTI