New Delhi, February 26 A resident of the Peeragarhi slum in West Delhi has secured a scholarship for postgraduate studies in Australia, with the Australian education minister praising her journey at a national higher education summit in Canberra.
Nancy, who grew up in a slum community supported by the Delhi-based NGO Asha, has been admitted to the Master of International Relations program at the University of Melbourne, the NGO said in a statement on Thursday.
Nancy has been awarded the Melbourne Welcoming Universities Scholarship and is scheduled to begin her course next week. She was invited to attend the Universities Australia Solutions Summit 2026 in Canberra.
Addressing the summit, Australia's Minister for Education, Jason Clare, acknowledged Nancy's participation, citing her journey as an example of expanded access to higher education opportunities. The minister also praised the NGO founder, Kiran Martin, according to the statement.
"A young woman who, thanks to Dr. Kiran, received the education that her parents did not. She completed school, went to university, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. She majored in political science and graduated with honors. Talent exists everywhere; it's the opportunity that is lacking," the minister was quoted as saying in the NGO statement.
The NGO, according to the statement, works in slum communities in Delhi, providing education, primary healthcare, and sanitation.
Kiran Martin said the partnership with the University of Melbourne has opened a fully supported pathway for master's studies for students from these communities, the statement added.