Gurugram, Sep 28 : Samsung India on Monday announced that it has provided scholarships to 517 students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and National Institute of Technology (NIT), as part of its 'Samsung Star Scholar programme'. These scholarships are offered every year to financially support less privileged students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) schools who qualify to these prestigious engineering colleges, the company said in a statement. The programme offers a scholarship of up to Rs 2 lakh for expenses related to tuition, examination, hostel and mess for one academic year and it can be renewed every year up to 5 years. Started in 2016, Samsung Star Scholar programme, now in its fifth year, has so far benefitted 650 JNV students. "Samsung Star Scholar programme is an extension of this effort and we are very pleased that this year despite the challenges on the ground, we have been able to reach out to these gifted students," said Peter Rhee, Corporate Vice President and Deputy Managing Director, Samsung India. Under this annual programme, the company offers scholarships to meritorious students pursuing full-term B. Tech/Dual Degree (B.Tech and M.Tech) course at any IIT or NIT. This year, the programme has granted 150 scholarships to new applicants from JNVs, of which 85 will begin their journey across 14 different IITs and 65 at 15 different NITs across the country. According to the company, scholarships for 367 students currently pursuing full-term B.Tech/Dual Degree (B.Tech + M.Tech) have been renewed for the next year. Recipients of renewed scholarships include 175 second year students, 94 third year students and 97 fourth year students. Also, Samsung India and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti partnership began in 2013 with the 'Samsung Smart Class' programme which was aimed at providing quality education for children from rural backgrounds. At present, the 'Smart Class' programme is operational at 683 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya schools. So far, over 430,000 students have benefitted from it and over 8,000 teachers have been trained on how to use interactive technology to teach. Every 'Samsung Smart Class' is equipped with an interactive Samsung Smartboards, Samsung tablets, a printer, Wi-Fi connectivity and power backup, the company said. /IANS