Educational exchange with India vital: US envoy

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs at the United States (US) Department of State, Ambassador Jennifer Zimdahl Galt's visit to the U.S.-India Education Foundation (USIEF) this weekend was aimed at underlining the importance on promoting educational exchanges between the world's two largest democracies.

"The United States welcomes Indian students to take advantage of the diversity of higher education institutions, as well as the world-class research at U.S. universities across the country," Ambassador Galt said.

"We encourage Indian students to be in touch with our EducationUSA advisors to find the U.S. college or university that meets their educational needs," she added.

The Ambassador toured USIEF met Education USA staff, who provided guidance and information to Indian students looking to pursue higher education in the U.S.

The EducationUSA advising center at USIEF, Delhi provides accurate, current, and comprehensive information on U.S. higher education through sessions online, at the center, and at schools and universities.

Their free sessions include information on admission requirements, application procedures, fields of study, standardized tests, and financial aid.

EducationUSA advisers reported to the Ambassador that prospective applicants are attracted by high-quality of education, the international value placed on U.S. degrees, the opportunity to form a lifelong connection with the United States, and the personal and professional links offered by U.S. university and college alumni networks.

EducationUSA services are in high demand as the US remains the top international destination for Indian students. US hosts over 186,000 Indian students. Indians make up 17 percent of all international students in the U.S. today.

Ambassador Galt also met with Fulbright Program students, including Americans studying in India as well as Indian alumni of U.S. colleges and universities.

The Fulbright Program offers grants to qualified Indian graduate students to study at the graduate level in the United States. These fellowships enable the most outstanding students, academics, and professionals in India and the U.S. to study, research, and teach in each other's countries.

The meeting came at the start of Ambassador Galt's week-long visit to India and Bhutan.