The funding facilitates free education at India’s top private university and the fifth-best in the country

Amrita has announced a new scholarship program to support 350 students from across Africa to travel to India for higher education. Envisioning a common bond between Africa and India to further sustainable development, the announcement was made at the Amrita-Africa Summit in New Delhi on Monday. The event was attended by ambassadors and high commissioners from across Africa and hosted by dignitaries from the university.

Minister of State for External Affairs Shri V Muraleedharan was the chief guest. Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri is the Vice Chairman of Mata Amritanandamayi Math and President of Amrita and presided over the conference. Shri Sevala Naik Mude, Joint Sec. Central and West Africa (C&WA) with the Ministry of External Affairs, moderated dialogue with the African officials.

Chancellor Mata Amritanadamayi Devi, lovingly known around the world as Amma, addressed the gathering via video. She shared that all of society will benefit when we see there is a difference between the types of knowledge one can pursue.

“There are two kinds of education: education for living and education for life,” said Amma. “While education for a living is essential for success in the academic and material sense, education for life equips young people with the knowledge, skills and values needed to lead an ethical and beneficial existence.”

It is this second type of education that brings true growth to society, as its members come together to participate in building a better world instead of creating conflicts that come as a result of competition. Education should not focus only on gathering information about the world, but also an understanding of our part in contributing to the whole.

Swami Amritaswarupananda said: “Let our youth excel in every single area of action, but allow them to be fair players. That is compassion in action. Let them be fair players with love and compassion for others. Along with scientific and technological excellence, Amrita inculcates a deep sense of social responsibility in its students.”

Amrita and the African countries will soon reach an agreement in the various fields of study available, including its medical schools at Amrita Hospitals. In 2021, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranked Amrita India’s top private university and the fifth best out of all public and private universities.

Shri V Muraleedharan congratulated Amrita for organizing the meet and emphasized that India is well-known for its long-lasting educational ties with Africa. He said the Ministry of External Affairs has a liberal process for African students and assures them proper care.

“The Indian higher education system has been witnessing metamorphic changes over the years and is considered as having the largest higher education system in the world. The Faridabad campus of Amrita will be a major expansion in terms of quality medical education and healthcare. It will provide connectivity to Delhi and the Ministry will be collaborating with the facilities and opportunities with this,” he added.

Amrita’s Dean of Life Sciences, Dr. Bipin Nair, delivered the welcome address, while Vice-Chancellor Dr. Venkat Rangan, Medical Director of Amrita Hospitals Dr. Prem Nair, and Provost Dr. Maneesha Vinodini Ramesh spoke about the various aspects of study and facilities Amrita offers. The Dean for Postgraduate Programs, Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan, gave the vote of thanks and the conference ended with a lively group photo session.