Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) and the Shiv Nadar Foundation have initiated a new scholarship aimed at providing access to high-quality undergraduate education for students from VidyaGyan, a transformative initiative by the Shiv Nadar Foundation. This collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two institutions.
VidyaGyan is known for nurturing academically gifted students from rural India by offering them free access to quality residential middle and high school programs. The partnership with Illinois Tech marks an extension of this mission, enabling graduates like Raj Dwivedi and Vijay Pratap Singh to join Illinois Tech as first-year students. These individuals are pioneers in their district in India to pursue higher education in the United States.
Sundar Mahalingam, president of strategy at HCL Corporation and the Shiv Nadar Foundation, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: “This collaboration between VidyaGyan, the Shiv Nadar Foundation, and Illinois Tech is a testament to our shared vision of transforming lives through education.”
Mallik Sundharam, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at Illinois Tech, added: “We are delighted to formalize this partnership with the Shiv Nadar Foundation to support VidyaGyan students.”
Raj Dwivedi has chosen computer science as his major with aspirations in quantum computing. Vijay Pratap Singh is focusing on computer engineering with an interest in semiconductors. Both have been actively participating in academic and cultural activities within Chicago.
Dwivedi expressed his gratitude: “Receiving this scholarship is one of the most significant moments in my life.” Similarly, Pratap Singh acknowledged: “I would not have been able to study abroad without this scholarship.”
Illinois Tech offers diverse educational opportunities across various fields including engineering, computing, architecture, business, design, science and human sciences, and law. It stands out as Chicago's only tech-focused university committed to innovation.
The Shiv Nadar Foundation was established by Shiv Nadar in 1994 with a focus on creating an equitable society through transformational education. The foundation has significantly impacted over 39,000 alumni and students globally.
Kevin Dollear serves as Communications Manager at Illinois Institute of Technology.