New Delhi, March 17 Biopharmaceutical firm MSD India has announced scholarships for 50 students, under a merit-based initiative aimed at supporting young women from underserved communities to pursue a Bachelor of Pharmacy course at select pharmacy colleges across India.
Following a competitive selection process under the 'Scholarship for Daughters' programme, which included aptitude assessments and personal interviews, a cohort of 50 eligible young scholars has been selected, the firm said in a statement.
MSD India, in partnership with Smile Foundation, launched the second year of the programme as part of its corporate social responsibility to empower young girls to pursue pharmacy education.
Designed as a holistic initiative, the programme provides comprehensive financial assistance, including course fee support for the entire four-year undergraduate course, the statement said.
Scholars also receive essential academic resources such as laptops, along with soft-skills training, mentorship, career counselling, and interview preparation to help ensure they are better prepared to transition from academia to the professional world.
Commenting on the initiative, Brecht Vanneste, the managing director of the biopharmaceutical firm, said, "At MSD India, diversity and inclusion are not just an aspiration; they are fundamental to who we are, what we value, and how we operate. The Scholarship for Daughters programme brings this commitment to life by expanding access to education and opportunity."
"As we enter the second year of the initiative and welcome an even larger cohort of talented young scholars, we are inspired by their ambition and resilience. By investing in the next generation of women leaders, we aim to support a positive impact not only for these scholars, but also for the communities and the future they will help shape," he said.
Santanu Mishra, the co-founder and executive trustee of Smile Foundation, said, "Sustainable empowerment of girl children requires consistent support and an ecosystem that nurtures their aspirations."
"The continued progress of the Scholarship for Daughters' programme reinforces our shared vision of enabling daughters from underserved communities to pursue professional education and emerge as confident, skilled leaders of tomorrow," he added.