Science, tech studies priority for India, US: Nancy Powell

The fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics are priorities for both India and the US, outgoing American Ambassador Nancy Powell said here Monday.

"The industries and challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change, renewable energy, medicine and healthcare, water and environmental management, developing sustainable cities all require innovators and workers from the arena of science, technology, engineering and mathematics," Powell said during the flag-off of a group of 15 Indian students selected to participate at the Intel International Science and Engineering fair in the US.

The group was selected from across India based on their innovative projects related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. They will compete with over 1,600 participants from 70 nations.

Powell said both the countries have realised the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and have undertaken significant steps to support it.

"I am confident that both India and the US will be among the top countries that have the most STEM-literate innovators in this century," she said.

Stating that every measure needs to be taken to develop the interest of students in STEM subjects, she said there was a need to expand the student-teacher exchange programmes between the two countries.

"A lot needs to be done to take on the global challenges of addressing the needs of people who have limited or no access to education around the world," Powell added at the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum here.