• Prachi Mahapatra’s story is a testament to how women are excelling in the tech industry, breaking stereotypes and leading the way.

• Highlighting the importance of familial backing, Prachi’s story reflects the success of initiatives like “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,” where support from her father and husband enabled her to chase and fulfil her dreams.

• Prodigy Finance played a crucial role in Prachi’s journey, providing a swift, collateral-free loan that enabled her to pursue her education abroad, highlighting the importance of accessible financial support for students.

• Prodigy addresses a critical challenge faced by students whose families cannot afford higher education, empowering aspiring innovators, scientists, and future leaders to pursue their dreams.

Prachi Mahapatra from Odisha is a shining example of how education and family support can help women break barriers.

Prachi grew up in a defense family, with her father (Warrant Officer Prakash Mohapatra) serving in the Indian Air Force. This background taught her discipline and strength. After finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Applications from Madras Christian College in Chennai in 2013, she moved to Bengaluru to start her career as a Tech Analyst at Amazon. This experience sparked her desire for global exposure and leadership roles. She saw that women, although still in smaller ratios, held important positions and were committed to growing in their careers. It made her believe that women have an important place in technology.

“I’ve always been driven to push boundaries and seek new challenges,” says Prachi. “My goal has always been to contribute to the tech and cybersecurity world at a leadership level and demonstrate that women have a significant role to play, making a meaningful impact on national security, innovation, and economic growth—aligning with the broader interests of national progress and global competitiveness.”

After working at Amazon, Prachi joined Cisco as a Business Analyst in 2016. Her hard work and skills helped her get promoted to Project Manager within three years. Wanting to understand business better, she pursued an MS in Business Analytics from the University of Texas at Arlington.

“I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of how businesses and technology operate and how I could contribute to solving real-world problems e.g. threats and vulnerabilities to the new world caused by AI,” explains Prachi. “The U.S. offers a dynamic job market and a leading role in global innovation, providing an ideal environment for professionals to contribute meaningfully to society. Those with real talent in technology eg AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Data Analytics can help strengthen national security, protect critical infrastructure, and create safer digital spaces for individuals and businesses alike

Like many international students, Prachi faced financial challenges. With tuition fees amounting to ₹40 lakhs plus accommodation, food, she needed a swift and reliable financial solution. Prodigy Finance came to her rescue, offering a loan without the need for collateral or a co-signer, which is a big problem solver for many students. This fast and efficient process enabled her to secure finances for her I-20 in just 20 days.

She feels the best part was that there were no collateral or co-signer requirements. Prachi’s father, even supportive, was even ready to sell property to support her dreams. However, Prachi was determined to shoulder the responsibility herself. Prodigy Finance’s loan structure gave her the independence and confidence to pursue her goals.

Today, Prachi is a Product Manager in Cybersecurity at Cisco in the United States. Her journey reflects not only her success but also the growing presence of women in technology, Women in Cyber Security —a field where women currently make up 26% of the workforce but only 8% hold leadership positions.

Prachi’s path was not easy. As the first person from her village to study abroad, she faced cultural shocks and fears of leaving her comfort zone. However, she embraced these challenges, believing that being “comfortable with being uncomfortable” is key to growth. Prachi added “The support from her family played a crucial role; both her father and husband encouraged her ambitions, along with her mother, who was equally supportive.”. “Her father instilled in her strength and discipline, while her husband supported her with academic concepts like statistics and accounting. She mirrors her mother’s passion and determination, relentlessly pursuing her dreams until they become reality.”

“Every international student comes to the US with a dream,” says Prachi. “The universities and the community are incredibly supportive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, I witnessed firsthand how universities prioritised student health and well-being, providing access to healthcare and even offering food assistance to those in need.”

Looking ahead, Prachi plans to gain extensive experience in cybersecurity over the next five years while contributing to the U.S. economy through innovative solutions and job creation. Her long-term goal is to return to India after 5-10 years to share what she has learned.

Sonal Kapoor, Chief Commercial Officer at Prodigy Finance, said, “Her inspiring journey shows the true spirit of the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” initiative. It shows that with the right resources, women can achieve remarkable heights. By making quality education more accessible for such students, we at Prodigy Finance are not just transforming their lives but also paving the way for future generations.”

Prachi’s story is a testament to the impact of supportive, humble families and accessible financial solutions like Prodigy Finance. She was able to repay her loan within six months, even before the grace period was up.

At a broader glance, her story represents a larger movement for women’s empowerment in technology, cybersecurity and the workforce. As more women enter STEM fields—expected to rise by 11% by 2033 — her journey inspires future generations of women who want to break barriers. By creating an environment where women can thrive, we can pave the way for more leaders like Prachi Mahapatra, ultimately contributing to a fairer future for everyone.

The post From Odisha to Silicon Valley: Prachi Mahapatra’s Success Story with Prodigy Finance appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

• Australia is renowned for its high-quality education and diverse study options with its 42 universities

• Some of the most popular courses for international students in Australia include engineering, information technology, business management, health sciences, and environmental science

• Prodigy Finance can help international students secure loans without a co-signer for top Australian universities.

In 2023, 793,335 international students went to Australia for higher studies. It has over 1,100 institutions and 22,000 courses across various fields. For Indian students, universities like Monash University, Australian National University (ANU), and University of Sydney are popular choices. These institutions offer a wide variety of courses, and some of the top fields include Engineering, Business, and IT.

To study in Australia, you need a Student Visa (subclass 500). The process involves getting a Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from an Australian university, showing proof of funds for tuition, travel, and living expenses. According to an article by Top Universities, this comes to about AU$21,041 per year for living expenses alone (around INR 11 lakh). You will also need to submit a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement outlining your intention to study temporarily. Additionally, you must provide proof of English language proficiency through a test such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE and ensure you have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your stay.

The cost of studying in Australia varies depending on the program and university. Living expenses depend on where you study, with cities like Sydney and Melbourne being more expensive. Though the expenses seem high, Australia has several scholarships for international students like Australia Awards Scholarships, Endeavour Awards, and university-specific scholarships. For example, the University of Melbourne offers scholarships worth AU$10,000 to outstanding students.

Prodigy Finance supports students pursuing masters degrees in fields like engineering, business, and IT among others at top Australian universities. With competitive interest rates and no requirement for collateral and co-signer for their student loans, it helps students focus on their studies without thinking about finances.

“With steady year-on-year increase in enrollment rate in its universities, Australia remains a top destination for international students. At Prodigy Finance, we are making it possible for students to take advantage of the incredible education opportunities Australia has to offer. We already have exclusive partnerships with over 18 top-rated universities in Australia and we are working towards adding more.” says Sonal Kapoor, Chief Commercial Officer at Prodigy Finance.

After you finish your studies, you may be eligible for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), which allows you to stay in Australia for 2 to 4 years, depending on your qualifications. This post-study work visa gives you the opportunity to gain international work experience in your field.

Although Australia is looking to cap international students to 270,000 in 2025, with proper planning, research, and understanding of the costs, studying in Australia can be a great experience that can lead to future success.

The post Prodigy Finance Offers No-Collateral Loans for Studying in Australia: Key Advice for Indian Students Studying in Australia in 2025 appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.