LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3846
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019
PH.D FELLOWSHIP TO ASEAN STUDENTS
3846. DR. T. R. PAARIVENDHAR:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has recently launched a fully funded Ph.D fellowship programme at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi for students from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as part of the ‘Act East Policy’ of the Government and
if so, the details thereof;
(b) the motive and intention of the Government to give such degrees and the total outlay for the project including the number of students who will be awarded Ph.D degree every year;
(c) the number of ASEAN countries included/proposed to be included in the said programme;
(d) whether this Ph.D scholarship programme is being executed as part of the announcement made by the Prime Minister at the 25th anniversary to commemorate the ASEAN-India Summit held in New Delhi in January, 2018; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) to (e) During the 25th Anniversary Commemorative ASEAN-India Summit in New Delhi on 25 January 2018, Prime Minister had announced 1000 integrated Ph.D Fellowships for students and researchers from all ten ASEAN countries to study at the Indian Institutes
of Technology. Accordingly, on September 16, 2019, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Minister of Human Resource Development Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', formally launched this programme in accordance with Prime Minister's announcement. IIT
Delhi is the National Coordinator for the Fellowship Programme. Ministry of Human Resource Development has approved a total outlay of Rs. 300 crore for the programme over a period of seven years. The Fellowship programme will be conducted in three batches.
In the first year, up to 250 fellowships will be granted under the Programme. In the second and third year, up to 300 fellowships and 450 fellowships will be granted.
Students admitted will be provided fellowships at the same rate as Indian students, along with yearly research grants, as applicable. The IITs will make a provision to cover the living expenses from their own resources.
This Fellowship programme will strengthen ASEAN-India relations by contributing to the development of human resources in ASEAN countries. It will also strengthen the research ecosystem of IITs while enhancing international student diversity at our IITs, contributing
to greater global recognition of the IIT brand.
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