The Embassy of India in Monrovia has awarded 20 students the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) India-Africa Maitri Scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year. Selected from a pool of 219 applicants, these scholars were honoured at a formal reception held at the Indian Chancery in Monrovia on 8 July 2026.
Programme Breakdown And Academic Placement
The successful candidates will pursue various postgraduate and undergraduate degrees, with 14 recipients enrolled for Master’s programmes and six for doctoral studies. These students are scheduled to attend several of India’s premier institutions, including the University of Delhi, Nalanda University, and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) in Madras and Roorkee.
When I arrived in Liberia last year, one of the first news reports that caught my attention was that the University of Liberia had launched its first-ever PhD programmes in 2025. It was therefore particularly gratifying to see six Liberian scholars selected for doctoral studies under the ICCR programme, said Manoj Bihari Verma, Ambassador of India to Liberia, during the event.
Diplomatic Ties And National Development
The ICCR India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Programme serves as a cornerstone of educational cooperation between the two nations, aiming to build capacity in key professional sectors. Indian officials noted that the 2026 cohort’s focus on advanced research aligns directly with Liberia’s national development objectives, including the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
While you are in India, you will also serve as ambassadors of Liberia. Your conduct, dedication and achievements will strengthen the goodwill between our two countries and inspire future generations of Liberian students, Ambassador Verma added.
The students are expected to commence their studies in India later this year as they prepare to contribute their advanced skills back to the Liberian economy.