Srikakulam fisherman's daughter and Vizianagaram girl bag US fellowship

Hyderabad: Two young minds from Andhra Pradesh have been selected by the Department of State, USA to pursue a course of their choice under Community College Initiative Programme (CCIP). The duo will be flying to the US in the next academic year.

Behera Mounika and Sopeti Hema Sree are 2nd year graduation students of SGCSR college, Rajam run by GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF), the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of GMR Group.

Mounika hails from a humble family in Srikakulam district. Her father is a fisherman and mother is a home maker.Mounika made use of gifted children program and excelled in her studies. Mounika will be studying Environmental Horticulture course under CCIP 2020-2021, at College of DuPage, Illinois State, USA.

While Hema Sri from Vizianagaram district has opted for 'Sustainable Agriculture' at the Valencia College, Orlando, Florida State, USA. Hema's as well hails from a simple background. Her father works as a messenger in a bank.

The entire expense of the selected candidates - course related expenses, airfare, boarding and lodging expenses, books and medical aid - are borne by the American government. Further, the candidates are also paid a monthly stipend to meet other incidental expenses.

Both candidates will start their courses in January, 2021 as it has been slightly delayed due to Covid-19 this year.

What is the Community College Initiative Programme (CCIP)

Under the aegis of the US Department of State, the CCIP supports deserving candidates from other countries to study at an American community college for one year. GMRVF provides all training and guidance to its students applying for courses under this programme.

GMRVF has been partnering with the US Consulate at Hyderabad and facilitating admission of the students in this program since 2015. With these two students, GMRVF facilitated candidates selected for the CCIP has reached 10. Two of the students who returned from US after completing the courses successfully got employment in reputed companies while others are pursuing their higher education.

GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, USA, Fellowship, Behera Mounika and Ms. Sopeti Hema Sree