Panasonic, a global leader in innovation and technology, today announced the recipients of its prestigious Scholarship Program 2013. Promising students from renowned institutions like IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, P.V.G College of Engineering & Technology, Pune and Jaipur National University were felicitated with scholarships to pursue higher studies in universities in Japan. With the fifth year running, this program provides financial aid to talented students from Asian countries who wish to pursue a Master’s degree in Japan.
The selected Indian students will be entitled for a scholarship package from April 2013 and Panasonic shall provide a financial support of 150,000 yen per month as the tuition fee for the first year; and for the subsequent two years, it will increase to 180,000 yen per month besides the tuition fees. Dr. Kiran Walia, Hon’ble Minister for Education, Women and Child Department, and Languages, Government of India, along with the jury members awarded the scholarship to the winners – Abhiram Railkar (IIT Madras), Abhishek Panigrahi (IIT Guwahati), Saurabh Bhide (PVG College of Engineering and Technology) and Ankita Jain (Jaipur National University).
Congratulating the selected students, Dr. Kiran Walia, Minister for Education, Women & Child Department, and Languages said, "I applaud the scholarship winners and wish them the best for their educational pursuits in Japan. It is heartening to see Panasonic India continuing with this initiative year on year and providing an opportunity for bright young students to widen their horizons and learn from the best universities."
The Panasonic Scholarship Program was established in the year 1998 in commemoration of the company’s 80th anniversary as a way to express its contribution to the society. As always, the scholarships have been awarded on the basis of a rigorous selection process through which only four students were chosen from a total of 6186 applicants. The selection process included a written test for 43 candidates who were shortlisted after the first round and out of these eight students were called for the interview. Post the various rounds of the selection process the above mentioned four promising students qualified to get the Panasonic Scholarship.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Toru Hasegawa, Managing Director- System Sales Division, Panasonic India said, "We believe that the youth will shape the future of our country and play a pivotal role in developing a strong society. Looking at the overwhelming response and success of the Panasonic Scholarship Program, we have decided to broaden the horizon and next year onwards we would be providing financial aid to the aspiring candidates from underprivileged section of society to help fulfill their dreams".
Gracing the occasion, Mr. Kazuhiro Kawano, President, Panasonic Scholarship said "I am highly impressed with the students’ talent and the sheer passion that drives them towards achieving excellence. This scholarship program is our humble contribution to the society and helps students achieve their path of success through higher education in Japan".
Panasonic has been undertaking the Scholarship Program for half a decade now with an aim to foster highly educated experts who can contribute to the country’s development and to promote mutual friendship between India and Japan.
Source: Panasonic