Business News
More students win scholarships from ABB engineering foundation
Tuesday 20. October 2009 - The work of the ABB Jürgen Dormann Foundation for Engineering Education has forged ahead in recent months, with more students in different countries around the world winning scholarships to pursue their engineering studies.
Students needing financial support have now won scholarships in Brazil, China and India, as well as a second batch in Poland. Partner universities in a number of other countries – including Egypt, Mexico and Vietnam – have been identified, and work is ongoing to set up scholarships with them in the near future.
“The scholarship scheme is establishing a global reach which is very gratifying, and we are already looking at further expanding the list of countries and universities where we are able to support students,” said Gary Steel, chairman of the foundation board.
Three universities in India
In India, for example, there are now partnership agreements with three universities. Early in 2009, the first three scholarships were granted at RV College of Engineering in Bangalore, and the selection of a second batch of students is under way. In parallel, agreements have been signed with two other universities, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and most recently MS (Maharaja Sayajirao) University, Vadodara.
ABB selects high-potential students in high-ranking universities, usually in areas where the company has operations. There may already be an established relationship – as at MS University.
“ABB has had a strong relationship with Faculty of Technology and Engineering, MS University, over many years,” said Madhav Digraskar, head of ABB Power Products division in India. “We have a number of alumni of MS University working with ABB. It is a matter of pride for us to support the talent through such scholarship programs that will also be fruitful to ABB in future.”
“It is important for us to collaborate with a company with a wide range of capabilities as this offers a wide range of opportunities for our students,” said Ramesh Goyal, MS university Vice Chancellor. “This scholarship program will not only provide financial assistance to our students but it will also allow them to benefit from the expertise and guidance of a leading global technology company like ABB.”
Foundation board chairman Gary Steel gives Rohith KV his scholarship letter. Mallikarjun Kande (right), is Rohith’s mentor.The students are grateful. “I am very proud to get this scholarship as it opens doors to a successful future that I could not have imagined would be available to me,” said Rohith KV, a first-year student of Industrial Engineering and Management at RV College of Engineering. “I look forward to adding value to my education through the practical training that this scholarship will provide. This opportunity also gives me the scope to interact with senior ABB officials, which is an immense privilege.”
Dozens more scholarships expected
Over the next few years dozens more scholarships are expected to be granted to students who can prove their need for financial support to be able to pursue their studies. The students also have local ABB mentors, the opportunity for holiday internships at ABB, and a first international event, hosted by ABB, bringing together successful candidates is scheduled for Switzerland in 2010.
The ABB Jürgen Dormann Foundation for Engineering Education was set up to honor the achievements of the former ABB chairman and CEO who left the company in 2007. It was endowed with total funding of 20 million Swiss francs.
The foundation supports talented students of limited means at selected universities to pursue their studies for a maximum of five years. Applications from students in other countries cannot be accepted.
The performance of each participating student is assessed annually by the universities and ABB, and through regular mentoring by senior ABB staff. As an additional support, the students are enrolled free of charge in ABBs online Global English program to help them improve their language skills.