DEMOCRATISING HIGHER EDUCATION

A group of research scholars in some of the UK’s top universities are helping over 350 Indian students from marginalised communities apply for universities abroad.

- R. Radhika

Sayyed Manzer, from Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, had never dreamt of pursuing an MSc degree at S the University of Oxford. He credits the "social capital" he gained at a prominent educational institution in India for his winning the Chevening scholarship that made it possible.

"Coming to Oxford was never a part of the plan. I always believed that foreign universities are meant only for gold medalists, award recipients and extremely well-to-do people. Even to dream you need privileges I did not have," he said.

Manzer earned a master's degree in social work at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai. "That's where information came to me," he said. "There are well-placed teachers and students who are applying and you get your hands on critical information.

I came across very few from my community who are studying abroad." According to the British High Commission, 1.18 lakh Indian students were granted study visas till June in 2022, an 89% increase from the previous year. This was the highest number since 2005. However, not many from communihistorically-disadvantaged ties make it.

Manzer, with others from marginalised and minority communities, studying in or graduated from UK universities are on a mission to "democratise access to education" through Project EduAccess. A non-profit, it is run by volunteers who are helping more students from disadvantaged sections access information and resources on studying abroad, especially in the UK.

When both domestic and international opportunities are shrinking, the initiative aims to prepare students to compete for international scholarships, grants, and fellowships and guide them through the application process. The initiative runs a mentorship programme especially for students who are Dalit, Adivasi, Indian Muslims, differently-abled, from northeastern states, women and from gender minorities, LGBTQIA+.