The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : “21st century demands strategic relationship between India, U.S.”

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Wednesday, Jun 16, 2010
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“21st century demands strategic relationship between India, U.S.”

Staff Reporter

— Photo: K. Pichumani

Bryan Dalton (right), acting Consul-General, U.S. Consulate-General in Chennai, presenting a certificate to a student at the graduation ceremony of the University of Madras in Chennai on Monday.

CHENNAI: The 21st century demands a new brand of strategic relationship in education between India and the U.S. by expanding higher education cooperation through increased exchanges, greater collaboration and enhancing the role of the private sector to meet global challenges, said Bryan Dalton, acting Consul-General, U.S. Consulate-General in Chennai, here on Monday.

Terming education and development as one of the five principal areas of collaboration between the two nations, he said: “To meet the serious demands of the 21st century, the Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative will provide $10 million in combined funding to increase university linkages and support junior faculty development between U.S. and Indian universities.”

He added that the bi-national ‘Fulbright-Nehru Scholarship Program' was expanded though a 45 per cent increase in funding by each government to support increased exchanges of students in priority fields this year. He called for an education that is more flexible, transportable, relevant to jobs and lasts one's whole life.

Mr. Dalton was addressing the convocation ceremony for post-graduate and M. Phil students of the University of Madras.

It is the first time that the University of Madras has organised a graduation ceremony for post-graduate and M. Phil students, organisers said.

He highlighted the growing popularity of India as a destination for American students. He noted that the number of Indian students in the U.S. had tripled since 1998-1999.

“We are actively working with American and Indian institutions to establish academic linkages and to encourage Americans to study in India,” he said.

G. Thiruvasagam, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras, said the university had distinguished alumni, Nobel laureates and other prominent diplomats. He urged the present batch to carry forward the achievements.

Over 700 students, from 68 departments, went up on stage in yellow convocation robes to receive degrees from Mr. Dalton.

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