Institutional Distinctiveness

Distinctiveness: Providing Freeships to Deserving Students

In a landscape where access to quality education is often hindered by financial constraints, the distinctiveness of Anubose Institute of Technology (ABIT) lies in its unwavering commitment to providing freeships to deserving students, particularly those from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This practice is rooted in the institution’s core objective of ensuring that financial disability does not impede a student’s pursuit of higher education. ABIT stands out through its dedicated efforts to empower academically bright yet economically weak students, a mission that sets it apart and serves as an inspiration to many.

Background: ABIT, located in a region that draws students from both rural and urban areas of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and beyond, recognizes the diverse socioeconomic backgrounds of its students. Many of these students hail from local rural areas and face severe financial constraints. Although they possess the competence and a genuine interest in technical education, their parents are unable to provide sustained financial support. ABIT steps in to provide these students with a lifeline, granting them the opportunity to pursue their academic and professional dreams. Central to this mission is the institution’s commitment to delivering technical education at an affordable cost.

Objectives of the Practice:

• To extend financial aid to poor students, especially from rural areas, to prevent them from discontinuing their studies due to poverty.
• To support financially all deserving, economically disadvantaged students without any discrimination based on caste, creed, or gender.
• To provide quality career opportunities for deserving students.
• To equip rural students with the skills necessary to be industry-ready before their graduation.

The Practice: The institution’s practice begins with local government authorities recognizing the need for scholarships and freeships for deserving students. ABIT takes an active role by issuing a circular at the start of each academic year, inviting all needy students to apply for these scholarships. A committee, composed of knowledgeable and dedicated individuals, is constituted to meticulously scrutinize the applications, ensuring that they adhere to the set criteria. The scholarship committee, armed with these applications and their supporting documents, submits its final recommendations to the Head of the Institution (HoI). The HoI, after obtaining the necessary approvals from the governing body, finalizes the scholarship amounts and communicates the selections to the chosen students.

The freeships awarded encompass various areas of financial support, including tuition fees, bus fees, hostel fees, and academic incentives. For example  2022-23 Academic Year, tuition fees are reduced by 75000 for 51 students, bus fees receive support of up to 7500 each for 26 students, and hostel fees are partially covered for 35 students up to 15000. Additionally, 1000 academic incentives are provided for 190 students. This financial relief significantly alleviates the economic burden on these students and their families.

Importantly, the students who receive these freeships are not left to fend for themselves; rather, they are continuously monitored and supported by mentors, heads of departments, and the HoI. This support extends to academic performance, participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, and guidance to help them pursue their career aspirations.

Evidence of Success: Since the inception, the institution offered freeships to more than 1000 students.during last 5 Academic years The success of ABIT’s distinctive practice is evident through multiple indicators., the institution provided substantial financial support to 116 students, including tuition fee waivers, 126 students for bus fee support, 76 students for hostel fee coverage, and 729 students for academic incentives. This support allowed students from economically weaker backgrounds to access and continue their education, significantly reducing the financial burden on their families. All the students who received freeships showed very good performance in terms of pass percentage and in cocurricular and extra-curricular activities. Most of the freeship receipients are working with MNCs at leadership roles. Some of the students turned out to be entrepreneurs.

Challenges/Problems Encountered:

• Although many students apply for the scholarship, it becomes difficult to award

scholarships/freeships to the needy student.

• As the free scholarships are limited some students get disappointed for not getting a scholarship despite being eligible.
• Keeping the student motivated throughout the duration of the program is a challenging task for the institution

In conclusion, ABIT’s distinctive practice of providing freeships to deserving students sets it apart as an institution deeply committed to social equity and inclusive education. While there are challenges to be addressed, the impact on the lives of underprivileged students and the success stories that have emerged make this practice a source of inspiration and a shining example of the transformative power of education. The institution’s dedication to empowering economically disadvantaged students is a model worth emulating for others in the field of education.