Collaboration in higher education is major pillar in U.S.-India dialogue

Updated on: Wednesday, November 30, 2011

“More than a hundred thousand Indians are currently studying in the U.S., and an increasing number of Americans are discovering India as a quality education destination. When it comes to education, the dreams and desires of the U.S. and India are one and the same. Collaboration in higher education is a major pillar in U.S.-India strategic dialogue,” Anand Krishna, Information Officer, U.S. Consulate-General, Chennai, has said.

Mr. Krishna was addressing students of St. Joseph's College here on Tuesday, while promoting International Education Week.

The initiative, which was started in 2000 and observed in over 100 countries, is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education “to promote programmes that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from India and other countries to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the U.S.”

The theme of this year's education week is “International education: inspiring students locally to succeed globally”.
Awards, fellowships

As part of this, Mr. Krishna, speaking on ‘Research collaboration, study and work abroad, and entrepreneurship', said: “Promoting research and scholarship has been a hallmark of the U.S.-India partnership. Our two governments are partnering to offer Fulbright-Nehru Awards, higher education fellowships for the most outstanding students, academics and professionals in India and the U.S.” “President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched the Obama-Singh initiative during the latter's State Visit to the U.S. in November 2009. Under this 10 million dollar program institutions can propose innovative projects to advance scholarship and teaching, and promote reliable, long-term communication between partner institutions. Over the next decade we can expect to see many fruitful outcomes from these partnerships,” he added.

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