Fathima Zehba M.P., a research scholar in the Department of Architecture and Planning (DAP), National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC), has been selected for the ‘Commonwealth Split-Site PhD Scholarship 2023.
Fathima’s research in ‘Gendered Mobility’ within the realm of Urban Planning has garnered attention, earning her a Rs 55-lakh scholarship to conduct further studies in the UK for one year.
Under Mohammed Firoz C, Head, DAP, NIT Calicut, Fathima has researched the complexities of urban gender dynamics. Her academic journey will now extend to the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London, which has a top-rank in the QS World Ranking for Architecture.
The Scholarship, funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the British Council, aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of deserving individuals by providing access to UK resources and expertise.
Focused on developmental research, the scholarship supports doctoral candidates with the potential to become influential figures in their home countries.
Fathima’s research, titled ‘Women’s Mobility and Accessibility in Cities of the Global South,’ aligns with the CSC Development theme of ‘Access, inclusion, and opportunity.’ She seeks to address the mobility challenges faced by underprivileged and low-income women workers in urban environments, with a particular focus on Kochi in Kerala.
The scholarship package includes coverage for round-trip international travel, tuition fees of £26,200, research contingencies of £5,000, study travel grants of £600, and a monthly stipend of £1,652. Fathima was selected from 400 applicants worldwide.
She completed her masters in Urban Planning from NIT Calicut and degree in Architecture from T. K. M. College of Engineering, Kollam.
