Aligned with India's new National Education Policy, the United States has initiated an educational program allowing Indian students to pursue a one-year professional master's degree with a focus on industrial specialization in American universities.
These specialized courses are limited to the domains of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and are set to commence from the fall semester of 2024.
Upon the successful completion of the courses, students will have the opportunity to remain in the US for a duration of up to three years, in accordance with existing and relevant visa regulations. This period can be utilized to gain practical work experience within the industry and to manage student loan repayments.
Over 20 American universities and more than 15 Indian institutions are presently engaged in discussions on how to capitalize on this initiative, with the US State Department acting as a mediator to facilitate the collaboration.
Akhilesh Lakhtakia, a Jefferson Science Fellow at the State Department's South and Central Asia (SCA) bureau, is the architect behind the design of this program.
India introduced the National Education Policy 2020 after nearly two decades. This policy seeks to achieve three main objectives: to provide education to all Indian citizens, to concurrently imbue a global perspective while preserving Indian cultural and knowledge systems, and to foster a collaborative relationship between students and educators.
The National Education Policy envisions an educational system deeply rooted in Indian values, playing a pivotal role in the transformation of India (Bharat) into a sustainable and inclusive knowledge society.