20 students under India’s ICCR scholarship programme will soon travel to India to pursue their studies, where they will experience independent living while strengthening the long-standing educational and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Speaking during the ICCR pre-departure briefing, Indian High Commissioner Suneet Mehta says the students’ achievement is a source of pride not only for their families but also for Fiji.
He says the ICCR scholarship programme is one of India’s most impactful educational initiatives, offering more than 3,000 fully funded scholarships annually to students from around 180 countries across various fields, including engineering, science, the humanities and the arts.
Insert: Mehta on scholarship 6th July
He says studying in India will expose them to world-class universities, experienced academic staff, advanced research facilities and a multicultural environment that will help broaden their perspectives and build global competence.
He says studying abroad comes with responsibilities, including managing finances, adapting to a new climate, respecting local customs, living independently and maintaining discipline, all of which he says are essential for success.
Mehta says the briefing was designed to prepare students for their journey by covering key areas such as scholarship conditions, travel arrangements, documentation, university reporting procedures, accommodation, health insurance, safety measures and cultural adaptation.
He urges the scholars to uphold integrity, discipline, mutual respect and cultural sensitivity while in India, adding that they will serve as young ambassadors of Fiji.
Mehta also encourages students to take part in extracurricular activities such as sports, cultural festivals, community engagement and interactions with other students, saying these experiences will enrich their university life and build lasting friendships.
