Ronita Torcato
Kotak Education Foundation (KEF) – the CSR implementing agency of the Kotak Mahindra Group, launched the Kotak Junior Scholarship scheme by awarding 750 scholarship certificates worth Rs 4 crores 72 lakhs to meritorious Class 11 students from economically disadvantaged sections across Mumbai to support further education.
With this programme, KEF aims to create a strong support system at the grass-roots level beyond financial aid, to the overall education and development of youth in the country.
KEF also launched its first Success Stories book highlighting the stories of 20 meritorious students, who defied all odds and built a successful career for themselves. The book also provides detailed information on KEF scholarships.
The function was attended by Mr. Shivaji Dam, Managing Trustee, Kotak Education Foundation, Dr. Ganesh Raja, CEO, Kotak Education Foundation, Mr. Parag Ganu, CFO, Kotak Education Foundation, and Ms. Jayasree Ramesh, Executive Committee Member (EC) and Director, Kotak Education Foundation among others.
The scholarship program, spanning an initial term of 2 years for Class 11 + students from SSC, CBSE, and ICSE boards, involves robust engagement activities beyond financial support such as one-to-one mentoring, career guidance sessions, entrance exam preparation support, exposure visits, and home visits.
KEF’s scholarship wing has been supporting students for over a decade, and has provided scholarships and financial assistance to over 3, 600 scholars till date. Over 800 alumni are successful white-collar professionals working in leading companies and other institutions.
KEF launched Kotak Kanya Scholarship in 2021 for meritorious girl students to pursue higher education across India. KEF’s Unnati project upskills unemployed youth from economically weaker sections of society and coaches them in the basics of IT and spoken English, life skills and personality development. It also ensures placements for all eligible participants.
Jayasree Ramesh, Executive Committee Member (EC) and Director, Kotak Education Foundation said, “ With the Kotak Junior Scholarship, we are focused towards a concrete student engagement plan to develop strong and qualified professionals, thereby helping their families rise above poverty.”
Eligibility criteria for the Kotak Junior Scholarship are as follows:
· Scored more than 85% in the SSC/CBSE/ICSE Examination and secured admission for Class 11 in Colleges in Mumbai
· Family income is less than Rs.3,20,000/- per annum
· Within MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region)
