Wallace Trust Scholarships for educational Pursuit in UK

Updated on: Thursday, March 15, 2012

It is the vision of Charles Wallace, the British cofounder of Shaw Wallace, who wanted give a part of what he earned in India back to its people, which has witnessed artists, writers and heritage conservationists visiting the UK and coming back richer in experience and scope for the past 30 years.

Richard Alford, secretary of the Trust, says, every year about 40 to 50 grants are given to worthy applicants from India. The Charles Wallace India Trust awards grants to Indians to “spend time in the UK and help achieve their artistic, professional or academic ambitions”.

Alford during his recent visit to Kochi to interact with the awardees for 2012 says a number of applications are from Kerala. Alford has been associated with the British Council and has spent a long time in India. He says he makes it a point to visit every year so that he “can catch up with India”. “We would like to see many more people applying from Kerala,” he says.

Alford points out that in the late 70s, many Indians migrated to the UK for higher studies in management and the sciences. The arts were largely ignored. “There weren't any scholarship programmes for arts. The important areas in arts were not covered,” This is where the Charles Wallace scholarships come in. The Charles Wallace India Trust, established in 1981 as an English charity with an understanding between the British and Indian governments, decided to use the money Wallace left behind for encouraging higher learning in arts and humanities.

According to Alford the Trust has helped many an emerging artist gain exposure to a different learning experience in the UK. Ever since it was established, the Trust has sent 2,700 people on various scholarship programmes.

The trust aims to give about 11 fellowships hosted at particular universities.

Alford clarified that the scholarships are not just another onward funding for post-graduation studies, rather, “It is for people who have a certain amount of experience and are passionate about widening their horizons.” Designed for people in the early or mid stages of their career, the scope of the scholarship goes well beyond a usual PG programme. ‘The scholarship opened my eyes to a whole new world,' is what a former awardee had to say about the scholarship,” Alford says.

The list of former awardees includes known names from the arts, literature, film, theatre and conservation scene: writer Jahnavi Baruah from Bangalore, artist Sajitha Sankar from Thiruvananthapuram, theatre director Deepan Sivaraman from Thrissur. Film director Leena Manimekalai from Chennai is one of the 2012 awardees.

The selection process is elaborate to “make sure we are choosing the right people”. “Someone who fits in with what Wallace had in mind,” says Alford. The candidates apply to the British Council offices first. The applications are detailed, in which the person has to mention clearly what he or she wishes to do. The short-listed applicants are then interviewed by a specialised panel, which has Alford along with experts from India.

The grants given include fully-funded awards, visiting fellowships at specific institutions, grants for research and professional visits, grants for doctoral study, and grants to attend the Scottish Universities Summer School.

Solomon J. Singh, Manager Projects, South India of the British Council says, the British Council supports the administration of the scholarship in India. “They offer excellent linkages for the candidates' future professional pursuits.”

More details about the scholarships can be had from www.britishcouncil.org/india- scholarships-cwit.htm.

Wallace Trust Scholarships for educational Pursuit in UK

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