GUWAHATI, May 22 - Asam Sahitya Sabha and the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM) have joined hands in reaching out to the poor but meritorious students of the region through 20 full scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at USTM.
The scholarships are being instituted in the memory of 20 former presidents of Asam Sahitya Sabha. In addition, two research fellowships leading to PhD are also being offered by USTM to carry out research on the lives of two literary stalwarts of Assam � Dr Maheswar Neog and Syed Abdul Malik � both being former presidents of the Sabha.
The awards are the result of an MoU between USTM and the Sabha.
�We have seen that many students get good percentage in board and degree exams but due to their poor financial position, they become unable to pursue further studies as per their desire. The scholarships would greatly help them to move ahead with their studies and build their future,� Dr Paramananda Rajbongshi, president of Asam Sahitya Sabha, told the media here today.
The declaration of new scholarships in the memory of former Sabha presidents would be a continuous process.
Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM and chairman of ERD Foundation, Guwahati, said that the purpose of offering the scholarships was, on the one hand, to help young meritorious students pursue higher education who would not have been able to chase their cherished dreams due to their poor economic background, and on the other, to inspire and encourage the youngsters to follow the footsteps of the honourable presidents of the Sabha and contribute wholeheartedly for the development of language, literature, culture and integrity of the region.
�Students availing these scholarships will be benefitted and will always remember the apex literary body of Assam and the invaluable contribution it has been making to the greater Assamese society. USTM is offering the 20 merit scholarships for hundred per cent free education at USTM for UG and PG courses starting the academic session 2019-20,� he added.
He emphasised on the urgent need for creating awareness among the people so that students and parents come to know about the scholarships at the earliest to apply for the same as admission process for UG and PG courses at USTM has already begun.
Padum Rajkhowa, chief secretary of Asam Sahitya Sabha, said that the scholarships would be awarded on merit basis to students, while preference would be given to those whose financial condition is weak. He said that the forms would be available at the USTM website and could be submitted to the Sabha�s Guwahati office as well as its many branch offices spread across Assam. The last date for submission of forms for UG scholarships is June 15 and for PG scholarships is July 20.
