Ranchi Boy Earns Coveted Rhodes Scholarship
Avinash Vats from Ranchi has been named one of the five Rhodes Scholars-Elect for India 2025, securing a spot in one of the most prestigious postgraduate programs in the world. The announcement about the Rhodes Scholarship, made on November 9, follows a rigorous selection process, including multiple rounds of applications and interviews.
Many congratulations to our newly-selected #Indian #RhodesScholars joining the class of 2025! 🙌
From left: Pal Aggarwal, Shubham Narwal, Avanish Vats, Rayan Chakrabarti & Vibha Swaminathan
We can’t wait to see all you achieve in #Oxford and beyond!✨ pic.twitter.com/f3Q3fflJLT
— Rhodes Trust (@rhodes_trust) November 14, 2024
Vats, along with the other scholars-elect, will pursue fully funded postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford in 2025, joining a global cohort of over a hundred scholars committed to driving positive change.
Hailing from Ranchi, Vats completed his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. His academic focus includes epistemology and making philosophy accessible to disabled individuals.
He has conducted impactful research on accessibility in education and healthcare for disabled individuals in Jharkhand under the State Disability Commissioner’s Office. Beyond academics, Vats is a tabla player and has directed several short films, showcasing his versatility.
Rhodes Scholarship: A Tradition of Excellence
The Rhodes Scholarship, established in 1903 and awarded in India since 1947, is one of the world’s most esteemed graduate fellowships. Each year, five exceptional Indian candidates are selected. This year’s winners come from diverse regions, including Ranchi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kurukshetra, and Ghaziabad.
Among the scholars is Shubham Narwal, the first Indian scholar-elect from veterinary medicine, and Avinash Vats, the third visually impaired Indian recipient.
Selection Process and Praise
The Rhodes India Secretariat praised the candidates’ intellect, empathy, and dedication. A statement from the secretariat highlighted, “We are proud of the five Rhodes Scholars-Elect who will benefit from Oxford’s rich intellectual resources and join a lifelong community determined to make the world better.”
Dr. Elizabeth Kiss, CEO of the Rhodes Trust, added, “The 2025 class represents cultures and perspectives from every corner of the world. We anticipate their invaluable contributions during and beyond their time at Oxford.”
A Diverse Cohort of Changemakers
This year’s Indian Rhodes Scholars-Elect include:
- Avinash Vats, Ranchi
- Rayan Chakrabarti, Kolkata
- Vibha Swaminathan, Bengaluru
- Pal Aggarwal, Ghaziabad
- Shubham Narwal, Kurukshetra
The Rhodes Scholarship continues to recognize individuals with exceptional potential to create an equitable and sustainable future.
See Also:
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Johns Hopkins University Campus in India Being Discussed
UPPSC Exam Protest Intensifies
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