111 scholars off to US

HYDERABAD: For Indian students aspiring to go to US, there's good news. This year, the United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI) is sending 111 Indians, professionals and students, to the US as Fulbright scholars.
A four-day orientation camp is on in the city for 48 candidates selected for the scholarship this year. The USEFI, which aims to increase mutual understanding between the two countries, has awarded 16,000 Fulbright and other grants to American and Indian scholars, professionals and students since its inception in 1950.In India, the USEFI has over 4,000 alumni.
The 2008-09 Fulbright fellowships for Indian students and professionals are open in the fields of research, teaching and professional development in the US.
The fellowships cover humanities, social sciences, agriculture, civic engagement, environment, global business studies, media technology, public health, science and technology policy and management, urban studies and others.
The deadlines for most competitions are in July. The details of the competitions are posted on www.fulbright-india.org. "Granting scholarship depends on the candidates as the scholarships are not just given to those choosing the traditional streams. About one-third of the scholarships are given to degree students," USEFI executive director Jane E Schukoske said.
From now on, the United States also plans to send more students to study in India, Jane added. Last year, there was a 50 per cent increase in the number of American students arriving in the country for their academic pursuit.
Frederick J Kaplan, consul for public affairs, American Consulate, Chennai, said that there are more than 76,000 Indian students studying in the United States. Every campus in America, he added, has at least one or two students or faculty with them.
"If we keep on increasing the number of American students coming to India, in the coming years, we will have as many American students in India as Indian students in America", he said.