Infosys Foundation scholarship for girls in STEM is a good initiative but POINTLESS. Such scholarships make NO IMPACT in the life of young students from the lowest income families. The Infosys Foundation problem statement states that 25% of girls dropout while transitioning from class 10th to 12th/college. However its scholarship criteria is that girls should already be admitted in a college. Conflict?? In our work we have seen students from annual family income of less than Rs. 3 lakh drop out for not being able to even fund the basic college form application fees. It goes as low as Rs. 300-500. Some can't even fund Rs. 3,000-5,000 govt college fees. How are they expected to get into college, fund their fees and then apply for such scholarships? Such scholarships may help young students who would come from lower-middle income families but not the one's who really need it. Corporates like Infosys should introspect on the problem they really want to solve or atleast get to understand the problem they are solving by launching such scholarships. It is definitely not going to motivate girls to NOT drop out in class 10-12. Its no where close to solving this problem. Scholarship Link: https://lnkd.in/gjHKF533 iDreamCareer.com
Completely agree Ayush, the biggest challenge for us as a Nation has been employable talent and traditional educational system doesn’t focus on skill development and Internship opportunities to help these girls navigate in the new norm. Besides funding education fee support companies can focus on mentorship and internship opportunities during their tenure and hence improving their chances of employment. Otherwise the cycle will continue from 12th to Colleges and then completing the entire tenure
Deep Insight indeed... May be Infosys Foundation sponsor higher education seats across the 1102 Universities of the Country which in turn can choose to search & sponsor girl students from their zone of influence.
Ayush Bansal you are making a pertinent observation. Can we proactively help corporates think through their CSR impact and align the strategy? There is a big gap and so is opportunity.