Chicago based Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) and the Shiv Nadar Foundation in India have established a new scholarship offering meritorious students from India’s rural areas the opportunity to become global leaders of tomorrow.
The two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the scholarship that will provide driven students from VidyaGyan—a noble transformative initiative of the Shiv Nadar Foundation—with access to high-quality undergraduate education at Illinois Tech.
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This partnership underscores both institutions’ commitment to transforming the lives of students from all walks of life through education and building a more equitable global academic community, according to a media release.
VidyaGyan nurtures academically exceptional students from rural areas bringing them together at Vidyagyan to offer free access to quality residential middle and high school programs, empowering them to become future leaders.
Under this new collaboration, two VidyaGyan graduates—Raj Dwivedi and Vijay Pratap Singh—have already joined Illinois Tech as first-year students, making them the first in their district in India to pursue higher education in the United States.
“This collaboration between VidyaGyan, the Shiv Nadar Foundation, and Illinois Tech is a testament to our shared vision of transforming lives through education,” says Sundar Mahalingam, president of strategy at HCL Corporation and the Shiv Nadar Foundation.
“By bridging opportunity gaps for talented first-generation students, we are fostering pathways to excellence and global exposure. This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to nurturing leaders who will drive meaningful change and create a ripple effect of progress within their communities and beyond. Together, we are not only enabling access to world-class education, but also championing inclusion and equity as pillars of sustainable growth.”
Adds Mallik Sundharam, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at Illinois Tech: “We are delighted to formalize this partnership with the Shiv Nadar Foundation to support VidyaGyan students. By welcoming these exceptionally talented individuals to our campus, we are enriching our community with unique perspectives of global first-generation students while advancing our mission of expanding access to quality education for all. We look forward to seeing Raj and Vijay thrive at Illinois Tech and to welcoming future cohorts who will follow in their footsteps.”
Both students have excelled at Illinois Tech. Dwivedi is majoring in computer science and has a strong interest in physics, with hopes of advancing into the field of quantum computing. He has been exploring quantum mathematics and is actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with faculty members on campus.
Pratap Singh, who is majoring in computer engineering, plans to focus on semiconductors, having authored a research paper on the topic in India. Outside of academics, both students have been enjoying Chicago’s diverse cultural scene—discovering new restaurants, visiting museums, and making new friends on and off campus.
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“Receiving this scholarship is one of the most significant moments in my life,” says Dwivedi, who’s from Unnao in the state of Uttar Pradesh. “Illinois Tech has such a vibrant community and knowledgeable professors—every time I talk to a new professor, I walk away with a fresh idea. Knowing that the institution sees my potential motivates me to work harder and focus on achieving my future goals. I’m excited to be part of this inspiring community and can’t wait to see where this journey will lead.”
Says Pratap Singh, from Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh: “I would not have been able to study abroad without this scholarship, so I’m deeply grateful to the Shiv Nadar Foundation for believing in us. Their confidence fuels my determination to excel and do something truly impactful. I’m eager to immerse myself in the global community at Illinois Tech and get the most I can out of this experience.”