Oscar winner Resul Pookutty has announced that he will annually sponsor a student at the Film and Television Institute of India, (FTII) Pune, where he once studied.

The sound design expert said on Thursday he plans an annual scholarship for one student at the FTII Pune. Other than a grant of $5,000, the scholarship will also give the student a chance to do internship with the Oscar winner himself in his studio.

Pookutty said it was his long-time wish to sponsor a ‘technically talented student’ from his institute. “I believe it is my way to give back to the institute that made me what I am today. A month ago I suggested this to Amitabh Bachchan at a felicitation ceremony and together we took the idea to the Academy governing members. They agreed to a scholarship of $5,000. It will be implemented from 2010,” he said .

While everyone was expecting Pookutty to sponsor a scholarship for sound design, his decision to sponsor a ‘technically talented student’ has won hearts of the students at FTII. Pradeep Menon, a cinematography student, said: “He could have easily sponsored a sound design student, but this decision is great.”

Though the institute is yet to outline the process of granting the scholarship, FTII director Pankaj Rag said it would be probably awarded to a fourth semester student.