PUNE: The underprivileged students of College of Engineering, Pune (COEP) received financial aid of Rs 1458750 (Fourteen lakhs, Fifty-eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty) from Resourceful Education Foundation (REF) on 8th November 2019 at the college campus situated at Shivaji Nagar, Pune.

Dr Mahesh Shindikar, Assistant Professor in Biology, Applied Science Department, College of Engineering, Pune (COEP) received the cheque presented by Jayvant Pawar, PRO Resourceful Education Foundation.

“I am glad to see 20 intelligent, promising and deserving students receive financial aid for further education from Resourceful Education Foundation (REF),” said Dr Shindikar.

“We have students who enrol for B.Tech and M.Tech programs. The enrollment is for 4 years. At COEP we identified deserving students in the first year adopting a single-window system. We screened the underprivileged students and identified their requirements. We have corporates under CRS activities extending their support to us. We are fortunate to have REF NGO extending their help.

“These students represent different strata of society and come from very challenging backgrounds. We support these students with their college fees, hostel fees and for that, we appreciate REF’s help,” said Dr Mahesh Shindikar.

“This help has lessened their burden and a major portion of their financial issues are resolved through this scholarship from REF. This is a tremendous boost for these students.

“We have received the aid of Rupees Fourteen lakhs, Fifty-Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty for 20 students from REF and we are hopeful of supporting more students in future.

“We started discussions with Dr Kanwar and officials from REF. This is probably the first NGO who have participated directly with us. We now have established equal stake membership by this gesture from REF members,” said a visibly pleased Dr Shindikar.

Abhishek Hiwale, studying B.Tech at COEP faced financial hurdles as his father had retired from his job and his mother was just a housewife. The promising student having grown-up siblings fought all odds to hold onto his dreams.

“I appreciate the help from REF. It means a lot to me. I have a dream to become an IAS officer on completion of my education and I am glad that this timely help from REF has given a boost to my confidence,” said a beaming Abhishek.

MamtaWankhade, B.Tech student faced similar problems. Her father a farmer and mother a housewife faced hardships in getting her educated. Her hostel fees of 9,500 and college fee of Rs 30,000 was promptly addressed by REF’s intervention.” I felt a huge relief as my father was struggling to make ends meet. Farming was not productive and we faced a lot of problems. Now I am pleased to see my parent’s burden lightened,” said Mamta in complete gratitude of the financial aid.

Sanket Khaire, student of B.Tech (Computer Engineering) lost hopes as his father’s sole income came from agriculture and production dipped due to natural calamities.

“My father was worried about my fees which were 90,000 and recently I lost my grandmother due to illness and her hospitalization took a toll on our finances. The REF helped me continue my education and I can look forward to realising my goals,” informed Sanket.

Mahesh Mali, B.Tech student studying Electronics and Telecommunication at COEP had his shares of problems. “My father is a farmer and I did not have any hopes of completing further studies. REF’s help has given my family a huge relief. Today I got admission to a stream that I am passionate about and I will strive to excel in my field,” said Mahesh.

Sanmeet Wakchaure, B.Tech student depended on his father’s income hails from a challenging background.” I am extremely grateful to REF. This scholarship means a lot to me. This gesture by REF is commendable and heartfelt good wishes to all who have helped us. I am looking to study for Civil Services on completion of my education,” said Sanmeet.

“College of Engineering Pune is an Autonomous Institute of Government of Maharashtra and is the first sought institute by most of the engineering aspirants,” informed Dr P R Dhamangaonkar, Associate Dean, (Student Affairs), College of Engineering Pune.

“The students who get admission to COEP are from all corners of Maharashtra and most of them are from very low income group. The tuition fees and hostel fees are very less at COEP but still students find it difficult to meet the expenses. Due to this at times meritorious deserving students leave in between.  In such situation it is necessary to support the needy and meritorious students.

“I’m wholeheartedly thankful to the Resourceful Education Foundation who came forward and supported 20 needy FY UG students. This support would definitely change mind set of the students and the future too. They would do better,” said Dr Dhamangaonkar.

The Resourceful Education Foundation, NGO based in Wakad, Pune has embraced 150 underprivileged students and look to address their education fee of Rs. 2614793 through the support of individual sponsors and conscious corporates.

Mr Amarpal Singh, Founder of the Resourceful Education Foundation (REF) was pleased to see the future of these deserving students being secured through higher education.

Mr Singh, an alumnus of IIM Bangalore dream of giving back to society was realized through REF, NGO, dedicated to the social development of society through education for all. He plans to extend this service pan India helping the underprivileged students gain knowledge and wisdom to boost the economy of our country through sound education.

REF NGO is registered under Section 8 of The Companies Act, 2013 with CIN: U85200PN2018PTC176205 to provide financial assistance to underprivileged students on completion of their 12 Std.

CAPTION

Seen from left Dr Mahesh Shindikar, Assistant Professor in Biology, Applied Science Department, College of Engineering, Pune (COEP) receiving the cheque presented by Jayvant Pawar, PRO Resourceful Education Foundation.