Call for Expression of Interest for Telangana SCOUT - Scholarships for Outstanding Undergraduate Talent

British Council India is organising a study tour programme for 10-15 higher education students from the state of Telangana (India) to the UK in the month of March in 2023 or early April 2023.

The course module is for 2-3 weeks to give them an experience of international education to excel in higher education and inspire them in the fields of innovation and research. The experience and skills students will get from the programme will be invaluable in their professional and academic pursuits after university. Through this tour we aim to promote awareness and develop a greater understanding of UK education amongst potential students. Below themes are identified for the proposed 2/3 weeks course/programme:

1. Critical thinking & problem solving
2. Communication/scientific enquiry skills 
3. Collaboration and working in teams

Budget:

In country expense: Telangana Govt. will fund flight tickets and visa costs for the students and accompanying staff.

UK expenditure: British Council will pay the chosen UK HEI towards the course fees, airport pickups/drops, accommodation and living expenses for all students and accompanying British Council staff while in the UK.

Objective of the tour:

• To provide exposure and skills to talented young people without means to access international education
• To give them an experience of international education to excel in higher education and inspiration for innovation and research
• To support them to impact local community, educational institutions and workplace through the learning they gain during the short course
• To help the Telangana Higher Education Council understand and collaborate with UK Institutions
• To support the internationalisation of Indian Higher education system through this engagement thereby supporting the NEP2020 aspiration

Benefits for the host institution

1. An opportunity for the host institution to showcase the best of their facilities and academic culture to a visiting group of international students directly through face-to-face engagement
2. Participating institution can use this opportunity to network and understand the partnership and student mobility opportunity of Telangana and India in general.
3. Provide a learning opportunity through a short certification course to a group of young people from India 
4. As the visiting faculty will be accompanied with the students from Department of Education, parallel meetings with the representatives from External/International Relations Department of host institution could be arranged for possible collaborations and partnerships (no partnership fee involved)

Proposed outcomes

• Students will talk positively about their experience in the UK with their peers
• Students will be able to make connections and friends during the programme
• They would have gained skills and confidence at par with students who have greater access to international experiences and exposure
• They would have gained some subject specific skills and experienced new pedagogical methods
• They will have to present a report on their visit experience and skills they have learnt during the visit
• Social media, and press and media campaigns with the students and State in India and the UK

Event details and format

Dates of the programme: 2- 3 weeks in the end of March 2023 or beginning of April 2023

Student composition: 10-15 Students, two senior officials from education institutions from the state of Telangana and 2 British Council staff.

Proposed role of the UK University

• Provide airport to airport support for the students in the UK
• Provide courses and modules of study on the themes given above for students
• Take on the duty of care of the students during their stay coordinating with accompanying faculty.
• Provide cultural experiences and visits to provide students a holistic UK experience
• Please note that students will be from a cross section of science, commerce and humanities departments, hence a multidisciplinary approach will be appreciated.

In your expression of interest/proposal please indicate the following:

• Initial draft for 2 to 3 weeks study programme based on the indicated themes while considering the trip’s objectives mentioned above. Please mention costs if any.
• It should indicate if hostel accommodation on double occupancy can be provided in-campus or off-campus for students, visiting faculties (up to 2) and accompanying British Council staff (up to 2).
• Confirmation of provision of lunch/networking lunch (Halal/vegetarian dietary requirement) with possible invitation to colleagues to join from External/International Relations department of host institution

Selection process

• British Council will select the host institution based on the strength of the proposed programme and budget.
• Please submit your interest to host the delegation along with a framework of study-programme by Friday 23 December 2022.
• The expression of interest/proposal should be done on the template provided (link to MS forms)

Evaluating proposals

All eligible applications will be scored by review panel members.

Selection Criteria

ABOUT TELANGANA

Formed as the 29th State of India, Telangana came into being on the 2nd of June, 2014. The Telangana region was part of the Hyderabad state from 17th September 1948 to 1st November 1956, until it was merged with Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh.

The Higher Education in Telangana State deals with the higher education i.e., college education, technical education and universities. Objectives are development of Undergraduate and Post graduate education, Increasing Access to Higher Education, encouraging private participation in the expansion of Collegiate Education, development of infrastructure in Government Colleges, ens​uring maintenance of high standards of ​education in colleges.

Eligibility criteria set up for the selection of the students by the Telangana Govt (this is for information only):

• Age has to be above 18 years as on the date of application for the project.
• Must have a valid passport at the time of application
• They should be in the 1% of the board of examination of recognised board in India
• Must have secured admission to a regular course in a HEI in the top 100 NIRF or NAAC 3.0 rating or Institutes of Eminence and National Importance.
• Should be enrolled and attending first or second year college in India at the time of application and travel to UK on the SCOUT programme
• Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS) run Degree College students also to participate along with other students
• And any other additional criteria as proposed by the ministry or government authority
• Students may be additionally required to complete online classes or distance learning study or assignments set by the hosting institution ahead of their participation in the programme.
• Students may be required to take English language test and develop proficiency in English before participation in the programme.

*Signing of formal Operational Alliance Agreement between the British Council and Telangana Govt. is under process. However, all official approvals are in place.