In a prestigious news, 3 Indians make it to Gates Cambridge scholars among 90 students selected from nearly 6,000 applicants for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge from the upcoming academic session.

The three Indians in the Gates Cambridge Class of 2017 are

1. Yaikhomba Mutum:
   Mutum will pursue a PhD Biological Science at the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, looking at the mechanism of active proton transport in Complex I, an enzyme involved in making energy rich ATP molecules.
2. Saloni Atal:
   Atal will study PhD in Psychology, exploring innovative and culturally appropriate solutions to tackle the problem of gaps in access to mental healthcare in India.
3. Akhila Denduluri:
   Denduluri’s PhD research in Chemistry will focus on developing biophysical tools to better understand and elucidate the protein chemistry and associated toxicity in neurodegenerative diseases.

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said:

“Gates Cambridge Scholars come from all over the world, but they have some important things in common: great leadership potential, a commitment to improving the lives of others and an unparalleled passion for learning.”

What is Gates Cambridge Scholarship ?

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship programme was established in October 2000 by a donation of US$210m from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge. Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.

Other Related Facts

1. The 90 scholars, including 35 from the US, together represent 34 nationalities.
2. The prestigious and fiercely competitive scholarships were awarded to 50 women and 40 men from a wide range of backgrounds.
3. A total of 41 students will pursue a master’s degree and 49 will pursue PhDs.