In the upcoming years, there can be a change in the pattern of Indian students pursuing higher education in the US. The US and Indian governments are collaborating closely on a number of projects that will improve the standard of education for kids.

Apparently, the US State Department is developing a curriculum that follows India's New Education Policy (NEP). The programme will give Indian academics a new way to study in American universities and get a temporary professional master's degree with a manufactured specialisation.

One of the 14 Jefferson Science Fellows for 2022–2023, Akhilesh Lakhtakia, says, "I look forward to building collaborative ties centred on sustainability between American and Indian institutions of higher education. These connections will take use of India's National Education Policy to create a regenerative culture from STEM-related research. A regenerative culture will incorporate the arts and humanities as integral components.

The National Education Policy 2020 makes a number of changes to both higher education and technical education in India.

With this programme, Indian students will have a new route to a one-year professional master's degree. Currently, only STEM courses (science, technology, engineering, and maths) are offered. Notably, following completion of the course, students will be permitted to stay in the US for up to three years in accordance with current visa regulations.

The change is meant to give them the opportunity to obtain professional experience and pay off educational loans. For Indian students, this programme offers great promise, according to Saurabh Arora, CEO of University Living.

According to Amit Singh, founder of UniScholars, "the current debates surrounding the programme, which was allegedly developed by the US State Department, have the potential to completely change how the US and India share knowledge."

But what precisely are the goals of the new initiatives? "With a focus on artificial intelligence, this creative idea aims to open up a new path for Indian students by providing them with the chance to pursue specialised professional master's degrees at renowned American universities. If this innovative effort is successful, it might establish the United States as a hub for worldwide education, creating more chances for students and nations to develop and advance together, continues Singh.

After the pandemic, there was a noticeable decrease in the number of students choosing to pursue higher education in the US. However, in 2022, this pattern underwent a substantial pivot, as seen by a sharp increase in the number of Indian students travelling to the United States for academic purposes.

As per the annual report by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the year 2022 saw a notable influx of 64,300 Indian students to the United States. With the imminent rollout of this transformative program, the trajectory of student numbers is poised to sustain its upward trajectory in the impending years, further cementing the educational bonds between the two nations.

“This endeavor underscores a resolute commitment to enhancing education and harmonizing it with international benchmarks. The program represents a momentous stride toward modernizing India’s educational landscape, promising an array of potential advantages encompassing learning, career progression, and future avenues for Indian scholars,” says Singh.