Australia's PM Julia Gillard to provide scholarships for college students

NEW DELHI: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard today announced providing around Rs 16.5 lakh to an NGO to provide scholarships for college students from underprivileged sections.

Her announcement came after she interacted with participants of the internship programme of the NGO Asha here.

Gillard congratulated Asha at the launch of its world-first Internship Programme to help students from slums become job-ready.

"In five short years Asha has helped over 700 students into university. Australia's support will ensure the number of slum children attending university and college continues to grow," said Founder and Director of Asha Dr Kiran Martin.

"These bright students have overcome enormous challenges to make it to college. The Asha Internship Programme equips them with skills and confidence to take the next step into the competitive job market," Martin said.

Employers participating in the inaugural internship programme include the Macquarie Group, Rio Tinto, Pepsi, Parsons Brinckerhoff, British Aerospace Engineering, SMEC, FICCI, Assocham and the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian High Commissions.