26th April, Duolingo English Test (DET), a modern English proficiency assessment for today’s international students and institutions, is partnering with The Next Genius Scholarship Program to embarking on an Inspiring India Tour to visit 1000 high schools across 50+ cities in India over the next two years. The Inspiring India Tour is an initiative to provide the best educational resources to students and counselors across India. Through this initiative, Next Genius aims to help students from all backgrounds access quality education and achieve their goals. 

Dr. Neeraj Mandhana, Founder, The Next Genius Scholarship Program, says “Access to a world-class education is essential for talented and deserving students to achieve their full potential, regardless of their geographic location. Next Genius provides comprehensive scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities to students in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, empowering them to access quality education and fulfill their aspirations. Next Genius is committed to creating a community of diverse and accomplished scholars who will make a positive impact on the world. Next Genius is happy to partner with Duolingo English Test (DET) to reach out to more students and schools, spread awareness about the scholarship program, and support students’ academic and professional aspirations.”

While the Next Genius team is helping with scholarships, an English proficiency test is mandatory for most universities and colleges abroad for their admission process. India is the largest market for the Duolingo English Test, with people taking the test from over 1,200 cities and towns in the past year, making the Inspiring India Tour initiative more timely and relevant. The Indian overseas education market is projected to hit $100 billion by 2025, as more than 2 million Indian students intend to pursue higher education overseas.1 However, students face challenges with expenses, visa requirements, and intricate immigration procedures. According to Duolingo’s India Report Card, 71% students pick their preferred countries to study abroad because of scholarship opportunities. 

“At DET, we’re constantly working to break down the barriers to higher education abroad and help more students access the opportunities they deserve. Our goal is to provide a modern English proficiency assessment that’s accessible to the broader Indian population.” says Tara Kapur, India Marketing Head, Duolingo English Test. “The Inspiring India Tour is all about making study abroad dreams come true. We’re proud to partner with Next Genius as they go on a journey to visit schools across the country, and empower students with scholarships and educational opportunities.” The DET is recognized by over 4000 institutions in over 50 countries, and is trusted by the top universities in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and more.

The tour kicked off on 13th April, with visits to notable schools including The Shri Ram School, Moulsari, Delhi, Pathways World School, Delhi and JBCN International Schools, Mumbai. The list of universities where scholarships are offered includes Syracuse University, Trinity College, and the University of San Francisco among many others. The full list can be viewed here.

Gyana Srivastava, Next Genius Scholar to Wheaton College, Massachusetts, Class of 2021 says, “In my high school, I felt that I had a lot of passion, ambitions, and dreams, but I lacked the guidance to go about it, how to apply for a university and start my journey there and that is where Next Genius came in for me. The Next Genius Foundation helped me to decide which college was the best fit for me. I got mentorship in abundance and guidance on internships, career options, and job search from them and one of their previous scholars. The most essential part is that Next Genius is not just about awarding scholarships, but it is the beginning of a new journey. For me, Next Genius is who I am right now and how I describe myself”. She is currently working as Research Assistant II at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.