Amaravati: As the first instalment of financial aid to benefit 213 eligible SC, ST, BC, Minority, and EBC students who have gained admission this year to the top 200 foreign universities ranked according to the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has deducted Rs. 19.95 crore under the Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena.
Speaking on the event here on Friday, he encouraged the recipients to earnestly pursue academic careers and promote the State and the nation on worldwide stages. He said that the programme will usher in a golden period in the history of the State by providing financial aid to deserving students who desire to pursue academic careers overseas but are having financial issues. According to him, government spends more money on education than any other industry because it views it as an investment in human capital and believes that it can help students achieve great things.
Additionally, he believed that students shouldn’t be denied the chance to pursue an education overseas because of their financial situation. He highlighted that great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar sought higher education in foreign universities, while CEOs like Sundar Pitchai of Google and Satya Nadella of Microsoft rose to the top after completing their degrees at prestigious institutions. He pointed out that even US Vice President Kamala Harris and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended renowned universities and urged the students to keep the State in mind when they rise to high office.
The plan, according to Jagan, lacked transparency under the TDP administration, and only a pitiful Rs. 15 lakh in financial aid—Rs. 10 lakh for EBC students—was given to SC, ST, BC, and Minority students. However, he claimed that the YSRCP Government has been covering the complete tuition charge of Rs. 1.25 crore set by the best foreign universities.
