World News | Indian Girl Makes Final 10 of New Global Student Prize

London, Oct 14 (PTI) A talented Indian girl has been named among the top 10 finalists for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2021, a new USD 100,000 award to be given to one exceptional student who has made a real impact on learning and society.

Seema Kumari, 18, from Jharkhand, who has started studying at the prestigious Harvard University, was selected from over 3,500 nominations and applications from 94 countries around the world.

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She overcame the child marriage norm of her conservative village upbringing and went on to focus on her studies with the help of women's empowerment organisation Yuwa.

"I am excited to be in the Top 10 for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize and I hope to get more help for Yuwa and help more girls escape child marriage like me and be financially independent," said Seema on making the final 10.

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Seema began playing on a football team run by Yuwa and when it opened an all-girls school in 2015, Seema was able to pay the school fees by using her skills coaching football sessions in her spare time.

At first, she found the new lessons difficult because they were in English, a language no one in her village knew. She stood her ground against societal pressures and as a result has had a hugely positive effect on her community.

All six of her cousins have followed her lead and joined Yuwa football teams, with five also joining Yuwa School.

Seema leads workshops for younger girls on topics including life skills, helping them gain confidence as well as reporting and resisting abusive behaviour in their villages.

In 2019, she became one of 40 students selected from across India to complete a full academic year in the US, as part of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study programme, finishing her year with straight A grades.

In 2021, Seema began her studies at Harvard University on a full scholarship.

If she wins the Global Student Prize, as well as helping her family, financing her upcoming studies, paying her cousin's school fees, and travelling during vacation, Seema says she will use the money to launch a small business helping women in her village make and sell rugs – providing them with legal work in a safe environment.

“Seema and all our finalists represent the courageous and hardworking students all over the world that are fighting for their future,” said Lila Thomas, Head of Chegg.org – the non-profit arm of edtech firm Chegg.

“Despite the challenges of COVID, this generation of students have shown the kind of resilience and creativity that give us all hope as we confront the towering challenges ahead. The Global Student Prize has been launched to shine a light on their stories and listen to their voices. After all, it is their dreams and their talents that will light the path to a better tomorrow,” she said.

The Varkey Foundation launched the Chegg.org Global Student Prize earlier this year, a sister award to its USD 1 million Global Teacher Prize, to create a new platform that shines a light on the efforts of extraordinary students everywhere.

“While many stakeholders are busy debating, these students are busy doing. Congratulations to all the finalists of the Global Student Prize. They truly are the changemakers our world needs,” said Dan Rosensweig, CEO and President of Chegg.

“Congratulations to Seema for reaching the final 10. Her story clearly highlights the importance of education in tackling the great challenges ahead – from climate change to growing inequality to global pandemics,” added Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation.

The prize is open to all students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in an academic institution or training and skills programme. Part time students as well as students enrolled in online courses are also eligible for the prize.

The winner will be announced on November 10 via a virtual ceremony taking place at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris, chosen from the top 10 finalists by the Global Student Prize Academy.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)