The Micron Foundation, in a significant partnership with the United Way of Hyderabad (UWH), is set to transform the lives of 60 of India’s most promising engineering students. These students from the country’s top engineering institutions will be awarded scholarships under the University Research Alliance Micron (URAM) initiative. This collaboration is not just about financial support, but about providing a pathway to academic excellence and a brighter future, where each student can unlock their potential, pursue their chosen fields of study, and embark on a fulfilling career journey.
The URAM scholarships, designed to support students in their B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) third semester and M.Tech (Master of Technology) first year, are a testament to Micron’s commitment to inclusivity. Among the 60 recipients,16 are women, and 10 are part of the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category. These students represent some of India’s leading institutions, including IIT Delhi, IIIT Bangalore, IIT Gandhinagar, IIIT Hyderabad, BITS Pilani, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW), NIT Trichy, and the JNTUH College of Engineering, reflect the breadth of talent nurtured by the scholarship programme.
Since its inception in 1999, the Micron Foundation has contributed more than $180 million through philanthropy to communities where its team members live and work. Through its foundation and corporate giving initiatives, the platform provides grants, programmes and volunteer efforts that enable equitable opportunities for underrepresented populations, support its communities and increase access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.
Speaking about the development, April Arnzen, Micron Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer and President of the Micron Foundation, said:
The Micron Foundation is committed to supporting students in their pursuit of in-demand careers that provide the opportunity to enrich their lives. Access to higher education, delivered through initiatives like the URAM Scholarship Programme, and working with partners like UWH, will prepare them for future technology careers while creating a lasting impact on communities throughout India.
The selection process for the URAM scholarships was rigorous and transparent. It included extensive on-campus activation and nationwide college campaigns, resulting in 2,677 applications from 494 institutes across the nation. These applications underwent a meticulous review process conducted by UWH based on predefined selection criteria and a comprehensive technical assessment. The outcome was the selection of 60 exceptional candidates, each demonstrating outstanding merit and promise in their respective fields of study. With a value of up to ₹80,000 per student, the scholarships aim to alleviate deserving students’ financial burden, empowering them to pursue their academic aspirations with renewed vigour.
Rekha Srinivasan, CEO of United Way of Hyderabad, added:
We are pleased to work with the Micron Foundation to empower deserving students through this URAM scholarship initiative. These scholarships ensure that every student has equitable access to opportunities to unlock their potential, pursue their chosen courses, and forge a career they cherish. We aim to create a fair platform for all students through the scholarship programme.
URAM is an integrated framework to build stronger partnerships with Indian universities, focusing on fostering research, innovation, and collaboration with some of the best minds in the country. At its core, the alliance brings together academic institutions and critical faculty experts, advanced research labs, student communities, industry associations, startups and government agencies to further research, education, and innovation in memory design.
