Mr. Dean R. Thompson, the U.S Consul General, Kolkata on his first trip to Mizoram, visited the MizoramUniversitytoday i.e. 13^th June, 2012 as part of the strategic drive to improve U.S -India Bi Lateral Relations and also highlighted Higher education opportunities in theU.S.

On his arrival, the Consul General visited the Vice Chancellor of Mizoram University, Prof. R. Lalthantluanga, after which an interactive session with undergraduate and post graduate students was held at the University’s New Administrative Conference Hall.

The Consul General said that the U.S-India relationship rests on the firm foundation of common ideals and that the strategic dialogue between the two countries is grouped into 5 principal pillers:

1. Strategic Cooperation
2. Energy and Climate Change
3. Education and Development
4. Economics, Trade and Agriculture
5. Science, Technology, Health and Innovation.

The Consul General also said that one of the most important elements in the U.S-India relation is the growing importance of Eastern India and the geographical importance is being increasingly recognised as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had highlighted in her recent visit to India, we look forward towards the setting up of the New Silk Road, where the Northeast plays an important role as the region that connects India with neighbours in the East.  

He highlighted that Education has become one of the main pillars in the bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries. There are currently more than 100,000 Indian students studying in the U.S, however, only 2,300 American students currently study in India, hence initiatives are being made such as the Passport to India program designed to bring more American students to study in India, also the Obama-Singh 21^st Century Knowledge Initiative provides $10 Million for increased university partnerships and junior faculty development, exchange visits of faculty, administrators, Indian and US students. Then there is the Community College Initiative Program, the Summer Institutes for Scholars and professionals, the Sports Visitor program, and so on.

The U.S and Indian Governments have created “EducationUSA Centres” throughoutIndiato help get clear and accurate information about opportunities to study in the U.S, and also offer individual counselling for interested individuals.  More information will be available at “facebook.com/Kolkata.usconsulate” and through twitter “@USAndKolkata”.