BK Birla Scholars Programme | London Business School

London Business School (LBS) alumnus Kumar Mangalam Birla has gifted a £15 million endowed scholarship programme to support the education of 10 full-time MBA candidates every year in perpetuity.

This gift marks the largest ever endowed scholarship gift to a European Business School. The first cohort started in Autumn 2019.

Philanthropy of this nature plays a vital role in fuelling the evolution of London Business School, allowing us to attract exceptional minds and supports our purpose to have a profound impact on the way the world does business, and the way business impacts the world.

Candidates eligible for the BK Birla Scholarship will represent the most diverse minds with five of the scholarship recipients from India and five from the rest of the world. BK Birla Scholars will be amongst the most impressive talent across the School’s full-time MBA programme, and will embody academic excellence and high leadership potential. The top 5% of the class will be eligible for the award and it will represent the mark of highest distinction among students.

"I am extremely proud to honour my grandfather’s legacy and create something enduring through this landmark global scholars programme at LBS. Through this programme, we look to build a diverse and vibrant community of next generation leaders who are committed to the ideals of integrity, dedication and service to humanity. The very values epitomised by my grandfather."

Kumar Mangalam Birla

Chairman, Aditya Birla Group

About BK Birla Scholars Programme

The BK Birla Scholars Programme honours the legacy of Mr Birla’s late grandfather, celebrated industrialist, philanthropist and pioneer Basant Kumar (BK) Birla. A humble and visionary leader, BK Birla (1921-2019) viewed access to higher education as a fundamental right for all. Mr Birla said the BK Birla Scholars Programme reflected his grandfather’s generosity of spirit and commitment to supporting the continued growth of emerging business leaders.

Mr. B.K. Birla assumed a leadership role in his family business at an early age, using his strategic acumen and foresight to grow a vast global empire. Numerous leading institutions have been influenced by his wisdom and mature guidance, among them the Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, the BK Birla Centre of Education in Pune, and the Birla Institute of Management Technology in Delhi. Over 50,000 students annually study in educational institutions established by him.

The BK Birla Scholars Programme continues that legacy and further cements the family’s decades-long association with LBS.

"It is an incredible gift to be able to honour B.K. Birla’s memory with this prestigious scholars programme."

François Ortalo-Magné

Dean of LBS

BK Birla Scholars

BK Birla Scholars represent the most impressive talent across the School’s MBA programme and embody academic excellence and high leadership potential. Recipients reflect BK Birla’s ideals of integrity, dedication and service to humanity.

Eligibility

Ten annual awards made at the discretion of the Scholarships Committee; five applicants from India and five from the rest of the world. The Scholarship recognises the most impressive talent of the MBA class who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and uphold the ideals of integrity, dedication and service to humanity in honour of the legacy and values of BK Birla.

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