Indian students who want to pursue higher studies in the United States of America are welcome, said Jamie Dragon Director of the American Center and public affairs officer of the US Consulate General, Kolkata. “The United States of America welcomes Indian students with open arms, who wanted to pursue their higher education in the US,” said Jamie Dragon. Jamie Dragon is on his first familiarisation trip to Manipur accompanied by Sameer Chosh, media advisor to US Consulate Kolkata. The trip was a continuation of the US government’s and US Consulate General Kolkata’s effort to build sustained engagement in North East India. Interacting with media persons in Imphal, the public affairs officer said that he met the tourism department, the civil society leaders and had discussed the possible areas of collaboration. He further informed that they visited the Manipur University and interacted with over 100 students and explained about the opportunities of higher education in the US. "The US Consulate is looking forward to work more with the government and the people of Manipur and is always ready to give free and accurate advice for pursuing higher studies in the US," said the public affairs officer. He claimed that during the last 10 years of data, the numbers of Indians going to US for higher education has doubled and over the last year the students of the country studying in the US increased by 5.4 per cent to 1,96,271. “The data clearly shows that Indian students are looking for a great education and the US will continue to extend to offer this,” said Dragon. Asserting that the varsities of the US encourage diversity and every varsity has its own scholarship policy on diversity, Jamie said, “We believe that student exchange and cultural exchange programme will be one of the best ways to foster meaningful relationships and promote mutual understanding between the two countries.”
