The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has announced 50 new scholarships for post-graduate Indian students as part of Briton’s efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation in education and research.

The LSE India Scholarships and a major collaborative research programme on gender equality in the country were announced during British Prime Minister David Cameron’s ongoing visit to India.

The LSE scholarships will enable more students from India to study for a Master’s degree at the prestigious London-based British university from this year.

The awards will range from £3,000 to £32,000, depending on financial need and are open to all Indian students who hold an offer of a place on an LSE Master’s programme by April 30, 2013.

“LSE has enjoyed a strong relationship with India for over a century. This has included welcoming thousands of Indian students to study at the School during this time.

“ ...We want to ensure that LSE’s doors are open to all talented students, regardless of financial circumstances, and are delighted to cement this relationship further by offering 50 scholarships, for graduate study, for students from India,” said LSE Director Professor Craig Calhoun, who is part of the delegation accompanying Cameron during ongoing India visit.

He seeks to reiterate Cameron’s message that Indian students are “incredibly welcome” to study and work in the UK.

LSE enrols between 300 and 400 Indian students each year, with the majority of these students registered onto post-graduate programmes.

The School has also announced a collaborative research programme on gender equality in India with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai.

LSE’s tie-up with TISS is supported by the Jamsetji Tata Trust, which has provided £1.8 million to fund joint research projects since 2007.

They now plan to extend their collaboration with a focus on women’s issues and support a joint programme of research, advocacy and action to create a safe and enabling environment towards achieving gender equality in India.

“No issue is more important than gender equality as we work to bring research-based knowledge to major social challenges. We are delighted to continue our partnership with TISS and the Tata Trust,” Prof Calhoun said.

“This is an exciting development that promises to shed light on a vital area of social policy in India. The partnership between LSE and TISS has already proved fruitful and it is encouraging that it can now be developed further,” TISS director Prof Parasuraman added.

comment COMMENT NOW