Sonipat, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) on Tuesday announced the launch of 100 Graduate Research Immersion Programme (GRIP) Scholarships to mentor and support the 2020 graduating students in overcoming the challenges posed by COVID-1on their careers and future plans.

This scholarship programme will enable the 2020 graduating students of JGU to pursue a research immersion programme immediately after their graduation.

The programme is designed to help the scholars augment their research capabilities and other skills, besides enabling them to gain the much needed work experience.

The GRIP Scholarship initiative is a six-month programme, which will commence from September 1 of this year, the university said.

The scholars for the programme will be selected through a competitive process from among the JGU students graduating in 2020.

They will work closely with accomplished global faculty of JGU and will be provided with generous and comprehensive institutional support from the university to further develop their competencies and skills.

During the programme, GRIP Scholars will benefit from one-on-one supervision, mentorship and guidance from JGU's reputed scholars in the disciplines of law, management, international relations, public policy, liberal arts and humanities, and journalism, the university said.

They will also be encouraged to take active part in advancing JGU's research programmes through the university's 55 research centres and three research and capacity building institutes.

"The launch of this new and transformative scholarship programme aims to provide research opportunities for selected graduating students of JGU in 2020 to undertake an innovative research immersion programme at JGU.

"In the uncertain scenario of the academic world grappling with the COVID-19 crisis, it is impossible to predict the return of normalcy and the lifting of restrictions," C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University said in a statement.

"The Graduate Research Immersion Programme (GRIP) Scholarships assists our graduates to ensure continuity and consistency in their learning, educational and career aspirations.

"The global pandemic has systemically impacted every aspect of higher education and it is important for universities to rise up to the occasion to provide a helping hand to their graduates," he said.

Apart from the scholarship in the form of financial support, JGU will provide accommodation and other benefits and privileges to the GRIP Scholars for the duration of the programme.

The selected GRIP Scholars will need to be on the university campus for the duration of the programme.

The GRIP Scholarships initiative is designed to address the challenges faced by our graduating students, enabling them to navigate the ongoing crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.