Delh oy w ns rst Sydney s holarsh o $60,000

Gro ing u in the slums of Peera Garhi, Northern Delhi, India, pursuing Master’s from an internationally reno ned academic institution located in a land far a ay as ne er on hishe anda s to do list. ut fate had sur rises u its slee e for this youngster. hishe s ingenuity talent and dogged determination sa him ecome the first recipient of the Sydney Scholars ndia uity cholarshi formed y the ni ersity of ydney in colla oration ith sha ociety in ndia. The scholarshi one of the most generous postgraduate course or scholarshi s e er offered y an ustralian uni ersity ill see hishe start a degree in aster of anagement ( ) from at the ni ersity.

orth ( ) a year, the scholarship covers the cost of postgraduate tuition fees, a place in one of the University’s residential colleges, flights te t oo s and health co er. t is only available to current residents of communities in elhi ndia here the sha ociety o erates.

Speaking about the scholarship, an elated hishe said e er in my ildest dream did I imagine getting an admission to such a prestigious university! I consider myself lucky to not only be the first recipient of this scholarship but also be the first student from the slums of Delhi to go to Sydney for a aster s rogram.

ro ing u going to a uni ersity as the farthest thing from my mind because no one in my family had gone to one. eeting the Asha team in my slum motivated, encouraged, and inspired me to go to the ni ersity of elhi for further studies.

Abhishek completed his Bachelor’s degree in ommerce earlier this year.

He added, “I began to study at the Asha centre instead of my home because they offered a uiet and safe en ironment for me to concentrate. They mentored and ro ided me ith study materials hich hel ed me e cel in my e ams.

The young student acutely understands the destabilising impact of crippling poverty on education and ants to use his story to ins ire and em o er others in similar circumstances. t is my goal to hel other youngsters living in disadvantaged communities, and I sincerely hope to inspire hundreds of kids to pursue higher education and uild strong careers hishe said. hishe as greeted y the ni ersity of Sydney’s Vice- Chancellor and Principal Dr ichael ence ho as in elhi to launch the scholarship and meet its inaugural reci ient. r iran artin founder and director of Asha Society, started the organisation in to em o er disad antaged communities in Delhi and provide families a ath ay out of o erty. ducation is the only ay to rea the cycle of o erty fore er and transform not only the individual but also their families and community. ro er education ill lead to good em loyment ros ects and they ill e a le to access and en oy a different orld r artin said.

“We created the India specific scholarshi s ecause e recognise the vital importance of Australia’s relationship ith ndia an im ortance that ill only increase in the coming years. reating an opportunity for the future leaders of India and Australia to study together at our ni ersity is one small ay of su orting this relationshi r ence said.

“We also recognise that talent is not restricted to any particular social or economic background and that for many, the dream of studying internationally is just that, a dream. e ho e that this scholarshi ill mean that financial need does not prevent a young person of outstanding talent from realising their otential.