Fulbright focus on East

Updated on: Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Kolkata: Students from the northeast and Bihar were encouraged to apply for Fulbright scholarships on the 60th anniversary of United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) on February 5.

“We want to see an increase in participation from the North eastern states and Bihar. There is no better way to promote mutual understanding than educational and cultural ties,” said Adam J Grotsky, executive director, USIEF, Kolkata.

USIEF will triple assistance provided to students. “Post the Obama-Singh meeting in Washington, we have got a combined commitment from both the governments for aid of 6.7 million dollars for the year 2010-11 compared to the 2.3 million dollars for the current year,” added Grotsky.

Fulbright alumnus, Professor Ananda Lal, used this event to bring to light how American theatre has evolved over the past six decades but the premise of the plays staged is the same.

Professor Lal’s students from Jadavpur University staged Lanford Wilson’s ‘A Betrothal’.

“I have chosen this play as it’s based in the 1980’s; in the middle of the period I just spoke about,” remarked the professor.

Kakoli Sengupta, a senior political science lecturer at the Bhawanipore College, said, “I am enthralled by the performance put up by the students. I was left spellbound.”

Two new programmes have been introduced for Indian citizens. They are:

>> A post-doctoral programme which is to be announced on February 15. Scholars can pursue a 12-month long research right after their PhD. The fields for this programme include women’s empowerment, climate and energy change and business economics etc.
>> Higher education administrators programme for 2-3 weeks for pursuing partnership and collaboration with American institutions.

As for the selection process for the Nehru Fulbright scholarships provided by USIEF, Grotsky said: “We take people who have excelled in their fields and can be good cultural ambassadors as Fulbright is not American or Indian; it is a co venture between the two nations.”

“For pursuing any master’s programme under the Fulbright scholarship, you need educational qualifications equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in USA and three years of relevant work experience,” explained Grotsky.

The event was rounded off by a cultural medley of songs, dance and poetry from the American and Indian Fulbrighters from the Eastern region.

Fulbright focus on East

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