Duolingo English Test (DET), a modern English proficiency assessment for today’s international students and institutions, has announced its partnership with The Next Genius Scholarship Programme. This partnership aims to undertake an Inspiring India tour, encompassing 1000 high schools in over 50 cities across the country during the upcoming two years.
The Inspiring India Tour initiative provides the best educational resources to students and counsellors across India. Through this initiative, Next Genius aims to help students from all backgrounds access quality education and achieve their goals.
Speaking on the collaboration, the Founder of The Next Genius Scholarship Programme, Dr Neeraj Mandhana, said:
Access to a world-class education is essential for talented and deserving students to achieve their full potential, regardless of their geographic location. Next Genius provides comprehensive scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities to students in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, empowering them to access quality education and fulfil their aspirations. Next Genius is committed to creating a community of diverse and accomplished scholars who will positively impact the world. Next Genius is happy to partner with Duolingo English Test (DET) to reach out to more students and schools, spread awareness about the scholarship program, and support students’ academic and professional aspirations.
While the Next Genius team is helping with scholarships, an English proficiency test is mandatory for most universities and colleges abroad for their admission process. India is the largest market for the Duolingo English Test, with people taking the test from over 1,200 cities and towns in the past year, making the Inspiring India Tour initiative more timely and relevant. The Indian overseas education market is projected to hit $100 billion by 2025, as more than 2 million Indian students intend to pursue higher education overseas.1 However, students face challenges with expenses, visa requirements, and intricate immigration procedures. According to Duolingo’s India Report Card, 71% of students pick their preferred countries to study abroad because of scholarship opportunities.
India Marketing Head of Duolingo English Test, Tara Kapur, added:
At DET, we’re constantly working to break down the barriers to higher education abroad and help more students access the opportunities they deserve. Our goal is to provide a modern English proficiency assessment accessible to the broader Indian population. The Inspiring India Tour is all about making study abroad dreams come true. We’re proud to partner with Next Genius as they go on a journey to visit schools nationwide and empower students with scholarships and educational opportunities. The DET is recognized by over 4000 institutions in over 50 countries and is trusted by the top universities in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and more.
The tour started on 13th April, visiting notable schools, including The Shri Ram School, Moulsari, Delhi, Pathways World School, and JBCN International Schools, Mumbai. The list of universities offering scholarships includes Syracuse University, Trinity College, and the University of San Francisco, among many others.
Established in 2014, The Next Genius Foundation is a registered charitable trust in India with a vision to identify world changers and connect them with outstanding university scholarships. In the last eight years, the platform partner’s colleges have awarded scholarships worth $38 million, helping 294 students to pursue their undergraduate education in the US.
