We are delighted to introduce Samaanta Foundation’s 𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭. We witnessed a 20% increase in applicant nominations, with submissions from 8 new districts. We are proud to announce that we are inducting 𝟏𝟖 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 this year, which means the incoming Cohort is the largest Cohort for the fifth consecutive year!
Over the last three months, we had the privilege of interviewing 𝟏𝟐𝟒 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 from 𝟔𝟕 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 across 𝟐𝟐 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐬 of Nepal. As always, our extensive selection process assessed each candidate on their academic potential, commitment to service, leadership drive, and financial need. These 18 Fellows demonstrate the best and brightest our public school system has to offer, and we are so impressed by their achievements, their resilience, and their aspirations. We also deeply appreciate all the outstanding candidates who went through our selection process and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.
The depth and breadth of diversity in this Cohort prove yet again that talent and ability are in abundance in all communities, including among those who are most disadvantaged. We are conscious that this year’s Cohort is not gender-balanced, although we continue to have a healthy gender balance in the full Fellowship (with 25 boys and 34 girls in Nepal and abroad). The intersectionality of caste, class, geography, religion, and disadvantage is also well represented within the 13th Cohort and across the Samaanta Foundation. We will also ensure from next year that at least 50% of all applicants are girls so that we remain true to our mission of leveling the playing field for all students.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Fellows, alumni, public school teachers, and everyone else who contributed to the selection process.
The addition of this Cohort brings Samaanta’s total Fellowship count to 122, with 59 Fellows currently benefiting from up to seven years of ongoing, residential support for their higher education endeavors. 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘍𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴.
We warmly welcome our latest cohort into the ever-growing Samaanta family, and look forward to supporting them in every way possible to help them realize their tremendous talent and potential.