Kathmandu, March 18:

Around 700 Janajati students and a number of researchers from the indigenous communities are to receive scholarships from the Nepal Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) this year.

“About 700 indigenous students will receive different scholarships under the Human Resource Development Programme this year for which we have already invited applications,” said professor Santa Bahadur Gurung, vice-chairman of NFDIN.

One hundred scholarships have been allocated for higher studies while 600 are meant for school level education for the 10 endangered communities. The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities has categorised Kusunda, Kushwadiya, Kisan, Hayu, Rajee, Surel, Bankariya, Raute, Lepcha and Meche communities as endangered. Professor Gurung said priority for the students applying for higher studies, however, will be given according to the category—endangered will get topmost priority.

Unlike previous years, the NFDIN has revised its criteria for recommendation. The NFDIN will accept recommendations made by the gazetted officers working in the government offices.

However, students who are working for their educational expenses will not be accepted for scholarship. Gurung said three people from the Janajati communities will receive Rs 25,000 each for Ph D dissertation and priority will be given to the related topics. While Rs 20,000 each would be provided for 20 Janajati students for their masters’ level thesis.

Rs 925,000 has been allocated for scholarships for 100 students in the higher studies and Rs 750,000 for 600 scholarships for school students that includes dress, textbooks and stationery.

Similarly, 20 students will receive a month-long full time Community Work on Social Development” training from MSR Development Support Institute and another 10 bachelors will receive professional diploma course on the same topic from the same institute for six months. “Both the courses have job guarantee after their completion,” professor Gurung said. Around 15 NFDIN staffs will also get capacity building training for three weeks to strengthen human resource within the foundation.