During International Education Week, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, unveiled the “Women in STEM Development and Medicine Fellowship” (STEMM), alongside the release of the Open Doors Report 2024. This initiative aims to foster collaboration between the US and India in the education sector, with a focus on empowering women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM).
In his remarks at the STEMM launch, Ambassador Garcetti highlighted the significance of the event, stating, “Today we launch the Women in STEMM India Fellowship, an initiative of the U.S.-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment, led by the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University.” He emphasized the importance of education, collaboration, and gender equity in shaping the future of STEMM fields globally, noting that the launch’s timing during International Education Week adds even greater meaning to the occasion.
Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels also spoke at the event, stressing the need to empower women in STEMM to drive global innovation. He highlighted that the fellowship, in partnership with the U.S. State Department, is designed to equip Indian women scientists with critical research skills, access to mentors, and connections to global networks, addressing barriers that often hinder their progress in these fields.
The fellowship is part of a broader effort by the US Mission in India to support educational collaboration, with a particular focus on enhancing the participation of women in the workforce and the formal economy.
Ambassador Garcetti also announced a milestone in the Open Doors Report, revealing that India has sent more students to the US than any other country for the first time since 2009. The report also shows India’s continued dominance as the leading sender of international graduate students, with a 19% increase, bringing the total to nearly 197,000 students.
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In addition to these initiatives, the US Consulate General Mumbai, in partnership with the University of Denver, launched a free ‘Digital Guide on Internationalization,’ designed to help Indian institutions collaborate with US counterparts. The guide offers resources on the American education system and best practices for successful partnerships. USAID also introduced the Learn Play Grow initiative in partnership with Sesame Workshop India Trust, aimed at improving foundational learning and hygiene practices for children and families in Rajasthan and Telangana.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Ambassador Garcetti shared his optimism about the growing India-US education partnership, noting a significant increase in the number of Indian students studying in the US over the past two years. He emphasized that this trend benefits both India and the US, as it strengthens bilateral ties and empowers students to bring positive change to both nations and the world.
