The Ministry of Education, University Grants Commission and the Indian Embassy in collaboration have introduced the ‘MARG’ series —Mentoring for Academic Excellence and Research Guidance. The mentoring project will allow Indian and Indian-origin faculty at renowned US universities to mentor Indian university students and researchers from India, especially those in smaller cities and towns.

The objective of the mentoring programme is to provide exposure to Indian students and researchers to the latest developments in their fields of study and provide knowledge, career advice, skills, and research opportunities from relevant experts across the US.

Indian-origin professors from prestigious US universities such as Stanford, Purdue, University of Maryland, and George Mason University are set to participate in the initial round of the series, as stated by the Indian Embassy.

During the inaugural session of the series, Deputy Chief of Mission Sripriya Ranganathan emphasized the growing academic, research, skilling, and industrial ecosystem in India. She focused on critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), high-performance computing, quantum science and technology, bioengineering, clean energy, and advanced materials.

Ranganathan stated that these sectors, driven by the leadership of both countries, would help strengthen the academic, research, and technology partnership between India and the US.

The vice chancellors and directors of participating Indian universities also expressed their belief that these sessions would benefit the students and faculty involved in teaching, skill development, and research in critical and emerging technology areas, as stated by the embassy.