MORE FOR STUDENTS: U.S. Vice-Consul Christopher Wurst — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE : The number of Indian students pursuing higher education in the U.S. has been increasing every year. There are more aspirants for student visas (F and J). Christopher Wurst, Vice-Consul at the U.S. Consulate, Chennai, said, "We are processing more student visas every year. It is only growing." Speaking to The Hindu here on Friday, Mr. Wurst said it had been the policy of the U.S. administration to accord priority for student visas.

There were over 80,000 Indian students in different colleges and universities in the U.S., Mr. Wurst said. He said colleges in the U.S. welcomed international students to encourage diversity.

Counters had been set up and personnel deployed to deal with student visa applications at the Chennai consulate, he said. While a student visa could be obtained 120 days before the commencement of the course, the consulate made all efforts to ensure that a student got the visa before the course started, he added.

The visa post in Chennai was the fourth busiest post of the U.S., next to Seoul, Mexico City and Manila, Mr. Wurst said. While the first three were situated at embassies, the Chennai post was at a consulate, he added. He attributed this to the fact that many South Indians preferred to visit the U.S.

The visible and influential presence of non-resident Indians in the U.S. had forced people there to learn more about India, he said.

On U.S. President George W. Bush's announcement regarding setting up of a consulate in Hyderabad, Mr. Wurst said no official order had been issued. He said Andhra Pradesh accounted for a major portion of visa applicants at the Chennai consulate. He did not rule out the possibility of the U.S. administration selecting Bangalore as another location for a consulate.

He said, "Bangalore is a beautiful city and has made a name in the U.S. That was the reason why the consulate is holding the South India-level `Know U.S. Challenge' quiz contest for college students on Saturday here." The American Corner situated at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan had been a hub of activity by providing information about U.S. culture, he added.

He said the consulate had provided train fare and accommodation for the 40 students participating in the contest. The competition, to be held at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on Race Course Road from 7 p.m., was open to general public. While the overall student champion would get a laptop, three runners-up would get iPods. A lucky audience member would win a random drawing for an iPod music player.

The elimination round during the day would ensure only 20 participants for the evening's main event, Mr. Wurst said.

Asked whether the winners in the quiz contest would be offered an opportunity to study in the U.S., Mr. Wurst said a student exchange programme could be considered. He said the consulate would be in touch with participating students and provide guidance at every stage with regard to their higher education.

On the Indian education system, Mr. Wurst, a teacher himself, felt the classrooms were more teacher-dominated as against the student-dominated classrooms in the U.S. An ideal system would be the blend of these two, giving more scope for interactive sessions, he added.

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