Mahindra Sustainability Review 2009-2010

K.C. Mahindra Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies Abroad
Instituted in 1956, this interest-free loan scholarship is given to qualified graduates who wish to pursue a postgraduate degree abroad. Preference is given to students interested in pursuing subjects that are not readily accessible in India. Till date, this scholarship has been awarded to 970 students.

In response to the advertisement released in January 2010, K.C. Mahindra Education Trust received over 700 enquiries for the overseas scholarship. 75 students were selected for final interviews, which were held on 15th & 16th of July 2010. The Selection Committee awarded 55 students interest-free loan scholarships amounting to a total disbursement of INR 6.370 million. These were given to students who were doing their post-graduation in a wide range of subjects like Computer Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Information Networking & Management, Economics and Law.

K.C. Mahindra Fellows Fund

With an objective of encouraging high potential candidates, KCMET initiated the K.C. Mahindra Fellows Fund of INR 2.4 million in July 2010, which awards the top 3 candidates a maximum scholarship of INR 0.8 million and a minimum of INR 0.5 million. The three students selected as K.C. Mahindra Fellows in July 2010 were Shenaya Pochkhanawalla, Sneha Shenoi and Prakash Shanthenu.

Mahindra Search for Talent Scholarship

The Mahindra Search for Talent Scholarship was instituted by KCMET in 1983. Set up in 36 educational institutions across the country, its objective is to enthuse and reward excellence in academics. The scholarship is offered to students obtaining highest aggregate marks, based on the year-end examination. Till date, 3,500 Mahindra Search for Talent Scholarships have been awarded.

Additionally, 480 students have received the 'Honours Scholarship'. These scholarships which include cash prize of INR 5,000 and a citation from the Trust are conferred to students who receive the Mahindra Search for Talent scholarship more than once in the consecutive year.

K.C. Mahindra UWC Scholarships

Established in the year 2000, the K.C. Mahindra UWC Scholarships are awarded to deserving students within the age group of 16 to 18 years, to study at the United World Colleges. This scholarship aims to ensure that students benefit through the experience of international education, shared learning and community service which the Mahindra United World College offers. Till date 72 students have benefited from the K.C. Mahindra UWC Scholarship enabling them to study at the United World Colleges. During the year 2010-11, 12 students were given scholarships amounting to INR 5.33 million.

Mahindra All India Talent Scholarships (MAITS)

Established in 1995, the Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship is awarded to students belonging to economically disadvantaged families from both rural and urban areas, who wish to pursue a job oriented diploma course at a recognised Government Polytechnic in India.

Scholarships of INR 5,000/- per annum are given to selected students for a maximum period of 3 years. This year, the scholarship interviews were held in 10 centers. Of the 2,250 eligible students, 827 were invited to appear for the interviews, out of which 522 students bagged the scholarships. 50% of the beneficiaries were girls. KCMET has awarded 5,294 MAITS scholarships till date.

A 2010 survey of 115 students awarded MAIT scholarships in 2007, show that 41% (47students i.e. 28 Boys + 19 Girls) had secured jobs with salaries ranging from INR 4,000/- to 13,000/- per month. Some of the placements are in reputed companies such as Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, TVS Motor Company and L&T Limited. Interestingly, K Muralidharan, a MAITS awardee from Tamil Nadu, after completing his diploma in Mechanical Engineering, secured a job with M&M in Chennai, and is now earning INR 12,500 per month. The survey also revealed that 56% of the respondents had decided to pursue further studies.

Other KCMET Awards and Scholarships

Under the aegis of the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust, several other awards and scholarships for the academia have been established. To build capacities and further encourage teachers, the Trust has set up the following:

	K.C. Mahindra Chair for Nuclear Chemistry at the Institute of Science in Mumbai was established in 1970. The institute utilises the income generated from the Corpus for full-time Professors to enable them carry out research in the field of nuclear chemistry.
	The Dhandevi Mahindra Scholarship Award at Sophia College, Mumbai, was established in 1982 to enable selected faculty members to undergo advanced training to improve their teaching capabilities.
	The Kema Grants established in 1997 provide financial support and scholarships to the faculty members and staff of educational institutions.
	Prema Bhatia Memorial Scholarship for journalism at the Prema Bhatia Memorial Trust, New Delhi is awarded every year since 1996.