The Tata Africa Scholarships programme forms an integral part of the Tata presence in Africa, and is one of the many ways that the group gives back to the community in which it operates

From 10 scholarships awarded to students from one south african university (at the end of 2006 for the 2007 study year), the programme has grown to incorporate a number of universities and institutions where 40 post-graduate scholarships are awarded each year. To date, 137 Tata Africa Scholarships have been awarded at a cost of R8 million. The scholarship fund covers the cost of the student fees, and not the administration thereof.

Over the past five years, the scholarships have grown to become one of the most sought after post-graduate scholarships in South Africa. Professor Loyiso Nongxa, the Vice Chancellor of South Africa's largest university, the University of the Witwatersrand, stated this in his address at the 2011 Tata Africa Scholarship Awards ceremony. Unlike other corporate funded scholarships, these scholarships provide for the student's tuition, books, accommodation and stipend throughout the year. This allows the students to focus on their studies without the need to find additional employment to cover their financial costs during their study year. As these students hail from a financially challenged background, this has ensured that they remain full-time students at their academic institutions and under the guidance of their mentors they graduate at the end of the year.

2011 Tata Africa Scholarship Awards ceremony snapshots
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The universities follow a rigorous adjudication process to award these scholarships. Applications are reviewed by a panel of academics; each university screens each applicant, and gives its recommendations to Tata. Last year 1,988 applications were received, a record number of post-graduate applications. Out of the 40 scholarships awarded each year, three Tata Africa Scholarships are awarded at the Women In Science Awards function that is endorsed by the Department of Science and Technology. The Minister of Science and Technology and the Vice Chancellors are present at the prestigious event.

The core of a nation
Addressing the winners of the Tata Africa Scholarship at the 2011 award ceremony, Raman Dhawan, managing director, Tata Africa Holdings, said, "In my view, when you run a business, two things are very important: first, having a vision and a mission, and second, having a value system. Honesty and integrity in anything you do is very important. Over the last two years we have seen businesses that were in existence for over 100 years disappear. As Tata Africa scholars, I expect you to have a value system in whatever you do when you occupy positions of leadership. Education is what unlocks the core of a nation. We trust that having a Tata Africa Scholarship, many doors will open for the youth of South Africa and not only locally, but globally."

The scholarships are in consonance with the Tata spirit of giving back to society. Apart from the academic community, the scholarships have also earned goodwill among the youth of South Africa as well as members of the government, business influencers, media and opinion leaders.

Over the years, many of the alumni of the Tata Africa Scholarships Awards and their parents attend the annual awards ceremony. The continued involvement of the students and their parents to Tata Africa is evident and they inspire the new intake of students to understand the values of stewardship and giving back to society.