Samsung India has announced fresh scholarships for 150 students from the current batch of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) under its ‘Samsung Star Scholar’ program, raising the total number of scholarships offered to 300. Scholarship of INR 2 lakh annually will be awarded to outstanding students from JNVs who have qualified for an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) or a National Institute of Technology (NIT) in India this year.

Samsung began the ‘Star Scholar’ program in 2016, wherein 150 students were provided scholarships for their higher studies. These students will now get scholarship for their second year course.

“After the success of the first edition of ‘Samsung Star Scholar’ program in 2016, Samsung India is offering 150 new scholarships this year. The aim is to nurture young bright minds of India by fostering outstanding academic excellence for students from rural backgrounds. We seek to support them to get the recognition that they deserve and pursue their dreams to study at top colleges in the country,” said Mr. Deepak Bhardwaj, Vice President, CSR, Samsung India.

Financial support of up to INR 2 lakh will be provided every year for up to five years to the scholarship recipients to help cover a significant share of their educational expenses, including tuition, hostel and mess expenses. Selection of 150 students for the ‘Samsung Star Scholar’ program this year will be based on the student’s ranking in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main for B. Tech/Dual Degree (B.Tech + M.Tech).

Students can visit Samsung’s website http://www.samsung.com/in/microsite/sapne-hue-bade/star-scholar to learn more about the ‘Samsung Star Scholar’ program, or to download an application for enrollment. The application period for the ‘Samsung Star Scholar’ program will remain open until August 31, 2017.

The ‘Samsung Star Scholar’ program is aligned with the Company’s ongoing effort to nurture deserving young talent by enabling them with quality education. Samsung partnered with the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti in 2013 and currently has Samsung Smart Class operational in 476 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya across the country.

Samsung Smart Class aims to bridge the digital gap between rural and urban India and provide equal opportunities for quality education to children from all backgrounds. Since the first Samsung Smart Class was established in 2013, over 2.5 lakh students have benefitted from it. In addition, over 8,000 teachers have been trained on how to use interactive technology to teach.