The University of Cincinnati Selects Lend-A-Hand India as their non-profit partner for US$1 Million UC Global Opportunity Scholarship

New York (Oct 28 2010): The University of Cincinnati (UC) has announced the new UC Global Opportunity Scholarship for students with proven track record while overcoming poverty or challenging home environment with minimal resources. It will provide two full scholarships – including full tuition, housing, meals, and airfare for a total value of over $150,000 each – to Indian undergraduate students starting their bachelor's degree September 2011. Lend A Hand India will help UC to find such students amongst the pool of students that it works with.

UC has partnered with Lend-A-Hand India (LAHI) to identify the two underprivileged Indian students for two full scholarships. LAHI, a NGO based in India & USA, will ensure that the scholarships are awarded to students. who meet the program’s overall objective. "We are very excited to play such a significant role for both, the University of Cincinnati and the students whom the university is trying to help. LAHI’s programs are all about changing the lives of the people and this scholarship program will inspire all the 10,000-odd students that we work with to dream and fly high in their lives," says Raj Gilda, Co-founder LAHI. A rigorous selection process will be followed to shortlist the beneficiaries for the programme.

LAHI provides quality education and job training opportunities for students in rural India. At present, LAHI runs a three year job and life skills training program in 61 villages, reaching more than 10,000 students, and closely works with the government aided high schools and the communities around them. With its well-established presence in rural India and experience of working with the marginalized section of the society, LAHI is uniquely positioned to partner with UC to help select qualified students.

India is the first beneficiary country of the UC Global Opportunity Scholarship Initiative launched this year. “We are particularly excited to unveil the UC Global Opportunity Scholarship in India”, says Jonathan Weller, Director of International Admissions.

Mr. Weller goes on to explain, “this scholarship will provide complete funding to academically gifted, but financially disadvantaged, students from India.” This is the first scholarship of its kind at UC. It will only make two awards every four years, and has decided to dedicate those awards to Indian students in its initial year.

“We chose India for many reasons, especially because Indian students have given so much to our university, and our country, that we want to give something back to India. We hope that the students receiving the scholarship will view this as investment in both themselves and India, and will return to India to put their education to work for others who are facing serious financial and social issues”, says Mr. Weller.

About Lend-A-Hand India
Lend-A-Hand India is a non-profit venture launched in 2003 by young professionals. It is based in New York City and focuses on issues related to youth. The current focus of its programs is providing vocational training, career development, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities for young boys and girls in urban and rural communities.
Lend-A-Hand collaborates with dynamic grassroots non-profit organizations to develop innovative projects and implement them. Lend-A-Hand India is a tax-exempt 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization with chapters in India and Dubai. For more information, please visit www.lend-a-hand-india.org

Media Contact
Raj Gilda
+1-917-493-9000
raj.gilda@lend-a-hand-india.org