Haleon India, Indian Dental Association expand BDS scholarship to 57 marginalised students

NEW DELHI: Haleon India in collaboration with Indian Dental Association (IDA) and Buddy4Study has expanded its dental scholarship programme to 57 BDS students from marginalized communities across India. Eligible students can apply for the ’Sensodyne IDA Shining Star Scholarship Programme’ by October 31.

Under the scholarship scheme, students will get financial aid of Rs 4,20,000 for the duration of their 4-year BDS programme.

The eligibility criteria for the scholarship is as follows:

• Students from pan India pursuing their first year in BDS programme from government and government-funded colleges only can apply.
• Applicants must have scored a minimum of 60 percent marks in their higher secondary education to qualify the first round of criteria.
• Annual family income of the candidates should not be more than Rs 8 lakh from all sources.

“After selection, the Sensodyne IDA Shining Star Scholars will be continuously evaluated and must maintain a minimum 60% score in each semester/year to continue availing the Scholarship renewal,” said an official statement.

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The selection of students will be done as follows:

• Students will be shortlisted for the first round based on their academic merit (60%) and financial background details provided during the application process.
• After verification of the shortlisted candidates, IDA and B4S will conduct telephonic interviews.
• The final list will be prepared by Buddy4study and IDA.

Last year, over 2,000 students applied for the scholarship of which 143 were selected. Including 57 more students, there will be a total of 200 scholars in the cohort. The scholarship programme for BDS students is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Haleon India, it said.

Speaking on the announcement, Shanu Saksena, CSR head, Haleon India said, “Education is the gateway to uplift a family’s economic status; it is an answer to most problems that can be solved monetarily for a long term, resulting in better living. We are proud to open 57 additional slots under this programme and underpin our commitment to advancing oral healthcare and education in India. IDA's involvement as the official Knowledge Partner further reinforces the credibility and value of this scholarship program. We further look forward to witnessing the positive transformation these scholars will bring to the field of oral healthcare in India."