New Delhi
August 19, 2009

The first batch of U.S. Scholars who have been awarded Fulbright-Nehru Scholarships have arrived in India to commence their scholarship / fellowship programmes. Of the 89 U.S. Scholars selected through a 3-stage objective process, the first group of 38 Scholars was received at Ministry of External Affairs on the 17th August. 

They were addressed by Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao, co-chair of the Board of the US-India Education Foundation, who welcomed them. Recalling the commitment of the Governments of India and the U.S.A to explore the significant potential of bilateral co-operation in Education, Smt. Rao underlined that such linkages between the academic communities of both our knowledge societies would contribute significantly to strengthening the current partnership - and shaping the future relationship - between India and the U.S.A. 

A new initiative, the India-U.S. Education Dialogue has been announced by both Governments on the occasion of the visit of the U.S. Secretary of State to India on July 20, 2009. 

The scholars shared with Foreign Secretary their respective areas of research and study - subjects as diverse and varied as studies on autism, ground water contamination, social and economic themes in advocating environmental awareness, micro finance and deshbhakti sangeet. The scholars included teachers who will be in India on a nine month exchange programme, teaching at various schools spread over the country. 

It may be recalled that the revised and updated version of the Fulbright Agreement was signed between the Governments of India and the U.S.A. on July 4, 2008. 71 Indian scholars have been selected for studies in the U.S. - who were similarly felicitated earlier this year by the USIEF.