Before the US released the Open Door Report (ODR), showing the number of international students and the increasing dominance of Indian students in US universities, Adele Gillen, Education and Cultural Attaché, US EmbassyAddresses student visa and OPT concerns amid changes in government leadership and the victory of Donald Trump as the new president. Edited excerpt of the interview:
With the victory of President Donald Trump, it is expected that there will be a big impact on the visa policy. Indian students are concerned about the introduction of short student visas and assumptions about changes in OPT after course completion. Does it affect the admission process in India?
We cannot predict future policies. As of now, the visa application and admission process remains the same.
In the year 2022-23, ODR revealed a 35% increase in the number of international students from India to the United States, resulting in an all-time high of 268,923 students. OPT and temporary work visas are due to increase. Do you agree with this?
We are proud that a record number of Indian students have chosen to pursue their educational dreams in the United States. American and Indian students studying and researching together build the foundation for the United States and India to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. This is part of our larger commitment to advance bilateral relations, and the month of November is about USIndiaFWD for Education. Students are a priority, and the US has become the number one destination for higher education for most Indian students, hence the demand for student visas has increased over the past three years. Last year, we issued more visas than 2018, 2019, and 2020 combined and the top four student visa processes. World posts were all right here in India. We are looking forward to another big year for student visas in 2024.
Consular Team India is not resting as we are constantly looking for ways to improve and streamline visa services. We have expanded our use of remote processing – renewal applicants can receive an appointment within days. We have integrated multiple visa classes into processing centers to take advantage of processing capacity.
What are the new initiatives by the US Embassy and EducationUSA to raise awareness about courses, scholarships and visa procedures to guide Indian students?
The US Embassy is committed to empowering Indian students by expanding access to information on US educational opportunities, scholarships and visa procedures. EducationUSA, a US Department of State grant program, promotes access to American higher education through a range of initiatives and resources tailored to students around the world, including India.
It started recently Education USA India The website (educationusa.in) is part of our continuous efforts to make it easier for students from across India to explore the possibilities of studying in the USA. The website serves as a comprehensive resource providing students, parents and advisors with access to essential information on higher education in the United States. This year, EducationUSA hosted fairs in eight cities in India, bringing representatives from several American universities directly to Indian students and their families. These fairs provided invaluable, face-to-face interactions with admissions officers, helping students gain insight into American education and explore various programs and scholarships. The US Embassy and EducationUSA also organized pre-departure orientation and special visa sessions to better prepare students for their trip to the United States, ensuring they were guided on everything from campus life to visa requirements.
Additionally, ‘Ask an Advisor’ sessions held every Wednesday at the American Center in New Delhi allow students to speak directly with Education USA advisors, address their questions and help them make informed decisions. We have expanded our reach through virtual workshops and interactive sessions covering scholarship applications, standardized test preparation, and visa procedures. Our efforts include working with local universities and high schools to reach students in both metropolitan and regional areas, providing them with targeted guidance on American education pathways. These initiatives reflect our commitment to support the aspirations of Indian students, foster a vibrant academic exchange and strengthen the enduring academic relationship between our two countries.
The US Mission in India opened an additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travelers, including tourists, skilled workers and students. Does it highlight the importance of Indian visits to the US and the strength of India-US ties?
Over the past four years, visitor numbers from India have grown 425% and surpassed pre-pandemic travel levels for the first time in 2023. We estimate that over 5 million Indians already have non-immigrant visas to visit the United States and we issue thousands more every day. Consular Team India issued over 1 million non-immigrant visas in CY 2023, including over 600,000 visitor visas for business and tourism. This strong upward trajectory of travel reflects the deep, broad, and growing relationship between the people of the United States and India.
The US has been a strong promoter of having more women in leadership roles and education. Do you plan special campaigns/initiatives to encourage more female students to visit the US for higher education?
The US Mission in India is deeply committed to the empowerment of women and the promotion of gender equality in higher education. Supporting women to pursue advanced degrees and leadership roles is a priority, as we believe that diverse leadership and perspectives are essential to fostering innovation and building stronger communities. To encourage Indian women to explore educational opportunities in the US, we have developed specific outreach and mentorship programs focused on women’s leadership in academic and professional fields. One of our key initiatives is the 2024 WiSci (Women in Science) South Asia Girls STEAM Camp, which brings together young women from South Asia to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Leadership training. This program not only provides essential skills in STEAM fields but also encourages participants to consider advanced studies in these fields, including opportunities in the United States.
The US-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment also plays an important role in our efforts to support the educational and professional development of Indian women. By promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors, the Alliance connects women entrepreneurs and professionals with resources and opportunities for economic advancement, encouraging them to take leadership roles through higher education.
EducationUSA complements these efforts with dedicated advising sessions and workshops for female students, guiding them through scholarship opportunities — especially designed for women — and pathways to STEM, business, and leadership programs. Through partnerships with American universities, alumni, and Indian academic institutions, we host webinars, mentoring programs, and panel discussions where successful women share their experiences, inspiring the next generation of Indian women leaders. Our programs highlight Fulbright scholarships, as well as exchange opportunities focused on supporting women scholars and professionals, helping them thrive academically and professionally.
The American mission remains dedicated to advancing gender equality in education and helping Indian women reach their educational and career aspirations. We look forward to seeing more Indian women contribute to and benefit from US-India educational exchange programs.
The United States has offered funding for 11 AI projects and 6 quantum projects for joint research and development. How can equal cooperation be increased to address critical challenges for social impact?
The United States and India share a long-standing relationship in the field of education with numerous exchange programs and joint cooperation in research and institutional alliances. This deep-rooted academic partnership through exchange and collaborative research was strengthened by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi’s vision for an open, accessible and secure technology ecosystem advancing space, AI, quantum computing and wireless communications.
The awards you are referring to are from one of our many bilateral cooperation mechanisms, the US-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF), just last year, which has supported more than 60 joint projects that apply critical technology to our critical issues. the day The United States has a long history of supporting and assisting Indian science and technology innovation through dozens of partnerships – and millions of dollars in research funds – between Indian institutions and US universities and federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation. , USAID, Department of State, NASA, Department of Energy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and many others. Indian research and development in critical technologies supported by the United States Government has global impact with applications that address the entire range of global challenges faced by our people together.