Manipal Foundation, SLS Trust collaborate to sponsor tribal students’ professional education

•             To benefit 20 tribal students from Mayurbhanj

•             Scholarship to cover tuition fee and lodging for BSc in Allied Health; BCA, BBA

Bengaluru, XX April 2025: Manipal Foundation and SLS Trust have signed an MoU  to launch “Aspire and Achieve Scholarship Program” for tribal students from Mayurbhanj, Odisha, for professional courses. It will empower tribal students by providing access to BSc courses in Allied Health, BBA and BCA. 20 first-generation learners from lower economic backgrounds will be awarded the scholarship.

Manipal Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Manipal Education and Medical Group. The scholarships reaffirms the group’s mission to uplift disadvantaged students through equitable access to education. The SLS Trust works with schedule caste, scheduled tribe, other backward caste and minority communities in Mayurbhanj and other areas. It would select deserving students through its centres of learning in remote areas catering the under privileged sections of society.

Dr Ranjan R Pai, Trustee Manipal Foundation  said, “The Manipal Foundation is committed to empowering our society through holistic and sustained initiatives. Our scholarships are focused on transforming the society by uplifting disadvantaged students through equitable access to quality education. This scholarship would enable students to break the cycle of poverty, and support their families and communities upon graduation.”

Mr Subodh Kumar, Development Coordinator SLS Trust, said “We are full of gratitude for this collaboration with the Manipal Foundation. This will transform lives of not just these 20 students and their families but these students will become role models for the youth in these areas.”

The Allied Health programme includes BSc in clinical psychology, cardiovascular technology, medical imaging technology, renal replacement therapy and dialysis technology and optometry. These courses will be taught at the Manipal TATA Medical College (MTMC), a constituent of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). The BBA and BCA programs will be delivered at the Sikkim Manipal University (SMU).

About Manipal Foundation:

Manipal Foundation is the social and the philanthropic arm of the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG). Dr. T.M.A Pai, the founder and guiding force behind MEMG, steered his energies to provide education and healthcare, two critical areas of human development, so that they empower people and improve their way of life. This legacy has been carried forward by his son and grandson, Dr Ramdas M. Pai, Chairman Emeritus, MEMG and Dr. Ranjan R Pai, Chairman, MEMG. The Foundation has adopted this ethos of empowering people and focuses its initiatives in the five areas of Education, Healthcare, Women Empowerment, Livelihood & Vocational Skills and Environment and Civic Initiatives.