After several appeals from students and study abroad aspirants, the Maharastra Government has announced that students pursuing higher education abroad under the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Foreign Education Scholarship Scheme will now be allowed to work abroad after completing their studies.
As per the previous rendition of the regulations and criteria for the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Foreign Education Scholarship Scheme, students were required to return to India and find job opportunities in India.
Those who received the state-government scholarship called this particular requirement unfair. As per student claims, many of them were not able to find the right job or salary packages that matched their qualifications upon returning to India. Thus, their hard work to gain an international degree was not being utilised to its capacity, TOI reported.
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The Government Resolution (GR), as dated on 16th December, several students wrote to the government seeking post-study work visas on completion of their studies abroad. Additionally, the NGO, The Platform, also sought to repeal the condition requiring students to return, while some students took their representations to the Ministry of Social Justice for the same.
In a statement, the NGO commented that the move will now facilitate students from Maharashtra to pursue higher education abroad, work afterwards and build their careers. Thus, students will then represent their country abroad, while also strengthening their community indirectly, state and the country as well.
The move, however, does not include a hike in the allowances or return fare if they choose to stay back and pursue work on completion of their studies abroad.
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Rajiv Khobragade, an NGO member, stated that the move will help students find international job and exposure. He added that such help from the Ministry of Social Justice and Special Assistance that utilise the funds allocated for the education of Scheduled Castes in a proper and efficient manner will facilitate the purpose of the funds as well. Further, he stated that the NGO hopes for the ministry to extend the condition of returning home after 2 years. However, he also expects that students availing the scholarship, payback to their society and country upon building their careers and financial standings.
Source: The Times of India
