Scholarships

As a move in the direction of stemming surging prescription medicine prices, the United States government has introduced reforms meant to limit the financial burden to an estimated number of millions of Americans. The new initiatives fall in sync with the aspect that the country is finding it challenging to reign in prescription medication prices, which stand at 256% higher than the average price in OECD.

At the heart of the reforms is a historic shift: Medicare will now have the authority to negotiate drug prices for costly medications, a move long resisted by drug companies. The initiative begins with 10 priority drugs and will add more treatments incrementally in the coming years.

Additionally, drug makers will be required to pay rebates for inflation if they raise prices faster than inflation. That is intended to discourage arbitrary and excessive price hikes.

Beyond benefiting patients, and especially the aged, out-of-pocket expenses by Medicare patients are now capped at $2,000 annually to spare those living with chronic ailments and having to deal with skyrocketing drug prices. The reform package also includes capping an insulin co-pay of $35 monthly, another widely welcomed shift for diabetics who had difficulty affording the life-preserving medication.

"These reforms are about restoring fairness," said a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services. "Americans have been overpaying too long. We're finally starting to do something about it."

The pharmaceutical industry has grumbled that lower sales would damage innovation. But health economists and advocates say the changes are overdue and necessary to align U.S. prices with the rest of the world.

As it begins implementation, the world is watching how these record reforms will reshape the healthcare landscape—and if they will spur greater global action to contain medicine prices.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), one of the world's largest professional engineering bodies, has announced the 9th edition of the IET India Scholarship Award, one of India's most prominent scholarships for undergraduate engineering students. Awards are open until 31 May 2025. The award will recognize and empower young engineers who have a passion for innovation and an ambition to address real-world problems using technology. With a prize fund of Rs10 lakhs, the scholarship combines financial aid with national exposure. Application is completely free.

The 2024 award edition witnessed a record-breaking 65,000+ entries from students from over 2,000 cities and 2,260 colleges in India. Every year, through a comprehensive multi-stage selection process, a single national winner is selected–making the award one of the most prestigious honors for engineering students in India. The program is available to full-time undergraduate engineering students of any year of study (1st to 4th year) from AICTE/UGC-approved institutions in India. There is no age restriction, but the applicants should have a minimum aggregate of 60% or a CGPA of 6.0 on a scale of 10.

The selection process involves four stages featuring an online exam to test fundamental engineering knowledge, solution-thons at the regional level, and a national final in September 2025. The national champion will get a scholarship of Rs3,00,000, and 9 other awards will be given to regional winners and runners-up. Aside from the prize money, shortlisted nominees will also receive national acclaim, exposure to present their work at major industry forums, and membership in a dynamic global community of engineering professionals through IET Membership.

Prof. Abhijit Chakrabarti, Chairman, IET India Scholarship Award Advisory Committee, stated, "Through the IET India Scholarship Award, we want to encourage and enable the future generation of engineers–individuals who will build the future industry, academia, and society.". This scholarship is barely monetary aid; it's a growth catalyst, the choice of embarking on one's dreams–be it higher studies, entrepreneurial ventures, or engineering and technology skills development. According to us, innovation is inspired, and by providing young talent with resources and accolades, we're empowering them to create their own success map towards excellence in life to come.

Ever since its launch, the IET India Scholarship Award has seen around 1,75,000 applications, year on year growing in interest. The IET has been established in India since 2006, with the aim of creating engineering-led influence in major sectors. Its Honorary Fellows consist of renowned Indian engineering leaders like N. R. Narayana Murthy, T. V. Ramachandran, and the late Shri Ratan Tata.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday launched a new digital portal for managing cash awards and scholarships for sportspersons with the view to streamline and make benefit payment transparent. The portal will help athletes apply for financial rewards given by the Sports Department with ease.

The state government is determined to offer improved facilities to sportspersons," said CM Saini, during a review meeting of the Sports Department late Monday night. He underlined the requirement for special schemes to provide top-notch infrastructure in sports stadiums and nurseries and suggested establishing centres of excellence based on elite sports. He also demanded issuing exclusive IDs to sportspersons for easier tracking and assistance. Minister of State for Sports Gaurav Gautam was also present at the meeting.

The officials briefed the CM that since 2014, a total of Rs 599.43 crore has been given to 16,305 athletes under the state's cash reward scheme.

Analyzing infrastructure, it was found that Haryana now has 3 state-level, 21 district-level, and 25 sub-division level stadiums, 163 Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complexes, and 245 mini rural stadiums. The state also boasts approximately 1,500 sports nurseries, with an aim to double the number to 2,000 by 2025–26.

One of the biggest highlights of the meeting was a suggestion to create an international-level sports complex on 100 acres in Palwal. The project comprises a cricket stadium, multipurpose hall, badminton and boxing complexes, athletics ground, rehab center, hotel and restaurant, and seating for 35,000–50,000 spectators.

"The officers have been asked to consider all feasible options for the construction of this complex," the Chief Minister said.

Karnataka Law Society located in Belagavi will introduce a scholarship scheme for meritorious students who want to pursue various institutions such as engineering colleges.

The society head Anant Mandagi told reporters on Saturday that the college committee will decide the cut-off levels and other eligibility for availing scholarships shortly.

This follows a decision to offer free education to all students in its pre-university colleges who achieved State and district level ranks in various streams, and choose to study in KLS institutions. "The society will not only consider offering scholarships to deserving students, but also poor ones," Mr. Mandagi said.

He averred for the first time ever in the Belagavi region, three KLS Gogte PU commerce and science students had secured state ranks in science and commerce streams. "Tanvi Patil was third at the State in the Commerce stream, with all subjects scoring 100 marks and English 97. Purvi Rajpurohit was at seventh and Brahmi Narasagouda 10th rank in Commerce stream.". Ruhi Shanbhag, a student of science stream, has achieved the 5th rank at the district level. She has also achieved 99.3 percentile marks in IIT JEE. Over 10 students have cleared the IIT JEE in the last three years. A few hundred have cleared the KEA CET exams and gained admission in engineering colleges," he added.

The college students also made nine of 10 district ranks in the Commerce stream. All this success belongs to the students for their hard work and the teachers for intensive teaching. The faculty members have trained students to face examinations and sharpened their concentration,\" the president said.

"KLS was established in 1939. Its colleges have been NAAC A grade accredited. It is running coaching classes for meritorious students studying for the IIT JEE and CA foundation course. It is also running remedial courses for meritorious poor students. Admission to these courses is free not only for KLS students but even for students of other institutions," Mr. Mandagi said.

KLS members R.S. Mutalik, Rajendra Belgaonkar and others graced the press meet.

Meritorious students were awarded cash prizes and certificates on the college campus on Saturday. Venkappayya Desai, director, IIT Dharwad, and P.S. Sawkar, KLS chairman, presented cash awards and certificates to the students. V.M. Deshpande, governing council chairman, Principal A.S. Kerur, and others graced the occasion.

Seventeen-year-old Vijayawada boy Akarsh Chittineni has done what many can only hope for. He is the sole student from Andhra Pradesh and one among only six students from India to secure admission at Duke University, which is sixth in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

By this, Akarsh becomes a part of a select group of international scholars as he has bagged admission letters from 40 top universities in the US and scholarship offers of a whopping Rs 25 crore. He is going to make his entry into the global stage this August (Fall).

Set to study engineering at Duke, Akarsh is impressive not only due to his scholarly excellence but also due to an all-around profile characterized by leadership, service, and creativity. The acceptance rate at Duke this year fell as low as 3.25%, highlighting the exceptional merit associated with his offer.

A pupil of Delhi Public School, Vijayawada, Akarsh has topped the school every year for the last six consecutive years. He already won a gold medal for being at the top of the CBSE Class 10 exams in KCP Siddhartha Public School. With his 98th percentile SAT, an IELTS band score of 8.5, and four Advanced Placement exam distinctions, he was declared the AP Scholar with Honours. He was also given a full scholarship for studying multivariable calculus in Stanford University's esteemed pre-collegiate program.

Aside from studies, Akarsh is a national-level badminton player and one of the winning members of NASA HERC 2023's award-winning team. He even achieved a national record for the highest number of digits of the square root of five. Being socially inclined, he started his non-profit endeavor Sarve Vidya, reaching more than 7,000 underprivileged children. His Telugu Pandits campaign has inspired more than 1,000 young people to get back to their roots.

"More than college admissions, my journey has been about learning with intention and applying that learning to empower others," said Akarsh to TNIE. "Duke University is where I aspire to develop not only as a student, but as a change maker. At Duke, in the next four years, I wish to dive into tech, entrepreneurship, and more. My aspiration is to be an entrepreneur who makes a difference.". This journey is not merely about a degree, it's about purpose," he said. Akarsh's parents, Vijay Mohan Chittineni, a businessman, and Prasanthi Dandamudi, an executive manager at Efftronics, were over the moon with pride and joy. "Akarsh has always been curious and empathetic," his father said.

"His childhood upbringing in a joint family and his initial education at Vikasa Vidya Vanam instilled in him the major foundations," says his mother. "His honesty and vision have always remained uncompromising. To see his dreams fulfilled is extremely satisfying," she adds.

I have designed a List of Conferences and Youth Programs in 2025. Save your dates and kindle your passion. Welcome to the Opportunities Corner website. On this post, you will find excellent opportunities globally, such as Youth Forums, Conferences, Summits, Workshops, and Fellowships taking place all over the globe. These Programs are available for all nationals. And no IELTS Test requirement. Candidates from any field of study can apply. By joining these short international courses, you will probably make new connections and, above all, you will be given an invitation letter that will assist you in obtaining a Visa. Find your potential and open the world up to free chances. Find out the list of Programs below.

List of Conferences and Youth Programs in 2025 For International Applicants

Don't miss the chance. Some of them have a small application fee, and the others are free. Do your best and dedicate your time. The name of the program and the deadline are mentioned below. Here you go!

1) World Leaders Convention 2025 in Spain (Fully Funded)

Host Country: Spain

Location: Madrid

Hosted by: Organization for Global Policy & Dialogue (OGPD)

Program Dates: 27th June to 30th June 2025

Duration: 4 Days

Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 15th April 2025

2) Free Trip to London by Commonwealth 2025

Host Country: UK

Program Location: Buckingham Palace, London

Duration: One Week

Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 23rd May 2025

3) Global Leadership & Business Certification 2025 in Cambridge, UK (Fully Funded)

Host Country: UK

Location: Clare College, University of Cambridge

Duration: 5 Days

Program Dates: 26th to 30th August, 2025

Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 22nd April 2025

4) 2025 Discover Vancouver Cultural Program (Fully Funded)

Host Country: Canada

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Program Dates: August 26-29, 2025

Financial Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 31st July 2025

5) Global Peace Forum 2025 in Canada (Fully Funded)

Host Country: Canada

Date: May 2025 | Vancouver, BC, Canada

Organizer: Canadian Center for Cultural Diplomacy

Sponsor: Diplomatic Protocol and Event Management INC.

Application Deadline: 1st May 2025

6) One World Summit in Milan, Italy 2025 (Fully Funded)

Host Country: Italy

Location: Milan

Duration: 4 Days

Dates: 28th to 31st July 2025

Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 3rd May 2025

7) Global Impact Summit 2025 in Hungary (Fully Funded)

Host Country: Hungary

Location: Budapest

Duration: 4 Days

Summit Dates: 28th to 31st August 2025

Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 30th May 2025

8) Global Youth Summit 2025 in South Africa (Fully Funded)

Country: South Africa

Location: Cape Town

Summit Dates: 20 – 24 October 2025.

Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 25th April 2025

9) Youth Vision Assembly 2025 in the Netherlands (Fully Funded)

Host Country: Netherlands

Location: Amsterdam

Forum Dates: 19th to 23rd September 2025

Organized by: Centre for Diplomatic Advancement (CDA)

Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 25th June 2025

10) Youth Empowerment Forum 2025 in Switzerland (Fully Funded)

Host Country: Switzerland

Location: Geneva

Duration: 4 Days

Program Date: Sept 04 – 07, 2025

Benefits:

Round Trip Flight

Shared Accommodation

Meals

Full Conference Access

Invitation Letter

Free Geneva Transport Card to ride all public transportation for free

Full Conference Access

Visit to UN Headquarters and CERN

Deadline: 25th June 2025

11) Young Economic Forum (YEF) 2025 in Dubai (Fully Funded)

Host Country: United Arab Emirates

Location: Dubai

Forum Dates: 29th to 31st May 2025

Duration: 3 Days

Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 25th April 2025

12) OYW Leading Summit 2025 in Germany (Fully Funded)

Host Country: Germany

Venue: Munich

Scholarship Name: Leading Scholarship

OYW Summit 2025 Dates: 3 – 6 November 2025

Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 7th July 2025

13) One Young World Summit SANDOZ Scholarship 2025 in Germany (Fully Funded)

Host Country: Germany

Location: Munich

Duration: 5 Days

Dates: 2 – 6 November 2025

Benefits: Fully Funded

This is a comprehensive List of Conferences and Youth Programs that are currently open. Don't forget to share this post with others. And don't forget to subscribe to our blog for more fully funded opportunities.