YS Jagan releases Rs 45.53 cr for Videshi Vidya Deevena

AMARAVATI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy released Rs 45.53 crore under the ‘Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena’ scheme on Thursday. The amount would benefit 357 eligible SC, ST, BC and EBC students who secured admission this academic year to the Top 50 universities across the world.

He deposited the amount virtually and called upon the beneficiaries to pursue their careers seriously and make the country as well as the State proud internationally. Speaking on the occasion, YS Jagan said that under Videshi Vidya Deevena, being implemented in full transparency, the Government would extend financial assistance to all eligible students in saturation method. He added that students could apply for assistance in full confidence.

“Parents of such students should not fall into a debt trap. For this reason, the Government is hand holding all eligible students at every step from paying airfare and visa charges to completing their courses in the top 50 universities abroad as per the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University and Times Higher Education rankings,” YS Jagan said. Total fees up to Rs. 1.25 crore for SC, ST, BC and minority students and up to Rs. 1crore for EBC students would be reimbursed, the Chief Minister said, adding this would help students pursue academic careers in 21 faculties in 320 educational institutions abroad.

Listing out the fees at top colleges in abroad, YS Jagan said that one has to pay Rs.1.32crore for pursuing an MBA at the Booth School of Business, Chicago University, Rs. 1.02crore for an MS course at University of Manchester, Rs. 1.16crore for MBA in Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, Rs. 1.13crore for MBA in London Business School and Rs.1.11crore for MS in Columbia University. The fees vary from Rs 61 lakh to Rs.2.06crore for pursuing MBA and MS courses in other Universities abroad.

“I think unless our students are supported with financial assistance to pursue higher education at these top colleges and Universities, they can’t become leaders. This is the idea behind the implementation of the scheme. This will help the aspirants become global leaders so that they can become CEOs of top companies in the world,” YS Jagan said.

During the TDP rule, the SC, ST, BC and Minority students got only Rs. 15 lakh while EBC students received Rs 10 lakh as financial assistance, while they were now receiving up to Rs 1.25crore. He also said that while an annual family income limit of Rs. 6 lakh was fixed for the beneficiaries during the TDP rule, it has been enhanced to Rs. 8 lakh now to cover a greater number of students. The TDP Government also failed to reimburse Rs. 318 crore arrears to students.“No other state is implementing a scheme like this in the country, unlike Andhra Pradesh,” YS Jagan asserted.

The scheme covers reimbursement of the total tuition fee, airfare and visa charges in four installments. The State Government would pay first installment after receiving an immigration card (I-94), second installment at the end of first semester, third installment after second semester results and final installment after successful completion of fourth semester, the Chief Minister added.