Learning about India just became a little easier for students at the University of Washington, thanks to a recent gift of $100,000 to the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies from longtime UW donors S. Rao and Usha Varanasi. Both are also UW alumni.
The fund, to be known as the S. Rao and Usha Varanasi Endowed Scholarship for Studies of India in the Jackson School, will allow in the coming years greater opportunity for the study of India by students in any discipline, with a focus on support for undergraduates.
S. Rao and Usha Varanasi
“We are fortunate to have grown up in two major democracies, India and the United States, but we feel that the understanding of strengths and similarities between our two beloved countries is often superficial,” said the Varanasis about their purpose of the gift. “Our endowment is an encouragement to students to learn about India from renowned teachers and experts because knowledge deepens empathy.”
Awarding of the scholarship will be done through the South Asia Center, housed at the Jackson School. Students with demonstrated interest in India through coursework, study abroad, language training, honors thesis research or other initiatives will be eligible to apply for the S. Rao and Usha Varanasi Endowed Scholarship for Studies of India in the Jackson School.
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