School of Social and Political Science

New award celebrates Indian students and honours former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam



Former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalan

The School of Social and Political Science is setting up a new annual award in the name of former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, to honour its Indian postgraduate students.

The Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Meritorious Award will recognise the highest-performing Indian student across the School’s on-campus postgraduate taught programmes each year.

Winners will be selected based on academic performance, and each will receive a £1,000 prize. They must have been living in India immediately before joining the University.

The award recognises Dr Kalam’s ties with the University of Edinburgh and the Indian community in Scotland. In 2014, Dr Kalam was the chief guest at the inaugural conference of the Edinburgh India Institute, where he was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate. 

The former President was an inspirational figure for many, particularly young people in India and across the Indian diaspora. From modest beginnings, he became a noted scientist, engineer and public servant, and was widely admired for his commitment to education, knowledge, tolerance, simplicity and care. 

A committee representing the Indian diaspora in Scotland and the wider UK is overseeing the award and supporting fundraising, reflecting the diaspora’s commitment to the success of the next generation. Committee members represent academia, business, entrepreneurialism and students. 

Committee lead Professor George Palattiyil, Personal Chair of Social Work and Refugee Studies at the School of Social and Political Science, said: “It has been a real honour to lead the establishment of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Meritorious Award at the University of Edinburgh. I am deeply grateful to the Dean of the School of Social and Political Science, the Indian Consulate, Development and Alumni colleagues and the Indian Diaspora Committee for their generous support in bringing this idea to fruition.”

For more information, including how to donate and support the award:

Learn more about Dr Kalam in this obituary.