VIT Chancellor G. Viswanathan and Deputy Speaker of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly K. Pitchandi handing over scholarships at the event.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The founder and chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) G. Viswanathan said that more than 11,000 students were given scholarships worth over ₹13 crore under its various flagship schemes like Support the Advancement of Rural Students (STARS) and Higher Education for All for more than 15 years.
In his presidential address at the STARS event, which was organised by VIT’s Universal Higher Education Trust (UHET) for the first time in Tiruvannamalai, he said that despite the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of Tamil Nadu being 47%, which is above the national average of 28%, the enrollment ratio in northern districts of the State remained low.
As a result, economic growth of the region suffered. “The VIT has established Higher Education for All Foundation to bridge the gap in enrollment ratio between northern districts and the rest of the State. Schemes like STARS program have been implemented to uplift rural students in erstwhile North Arcot districts, which are economically and educationally backwards,” he said.
On the occasion, Deputy Speaker of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and chief guest K. Pitchandi distributed scholarships worth ₹28 lakh to 242 meritorious students.
Published – February 11, 2026 11:57 pm IST
