Seminar focusing on higher studies in the US held at NEISSR

DIMAPUR — YRGCARE, in collaboration with the US Embassy, Kolkata, and North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR), Chümoukedima, organised a seminar and road show focusing on higher studies and career opportunities in the United States on Thursday at Bishop Abraham Memorial Cultural Hall.

Delivering the keynote address, principal of NEISSR, Dr. Fr. CP Anto, emphasised the importance of pursuing higher education in the United States. Drawing from his own experiences, he highlighted the presence of supportive peace communities across US colleges, which contribute to an enriching environment for international students.

Aishwarya Mondal, representing the US Embassy, Kolkata, emphasised the importance of mastering English language for both academic success and social integration in US colleges or universities, stated an update from NEISSR.

She Mondal also outlined the significance of strategic planning for students considering studying in the US and provided insights on how early and thoughtful planning could impact a student’s chances of securing admission to reputable institutions.

She covered aspects such as course selection, building a strong academic profile, and preparing for standardised tests like the TOEFL, GRE and SAT, which are often required by US institutions.

Additionally, she introduced various tools and platforms that students could use to improve their English skills and prepare for the rigorous academic environment in the US including free online resources, language learning apps and local programmes supported by the US Embassy tailored to the needs of northeast students.

Mondal also explained that the US Embassy’s programmes are particularly aimed at reaching underrepresented groups including students from remote and economically disadvantaged areas.

Megha Roy, official at US Embassy, spoke about various scholarship programmes available to Indian students and provided details on scholarships covering different fields of study and levels of education from undergraduate to doctoral programmes.

She also outlined the eligibility criteria for each scholarship, emphasising the importance of academic excellence, leadership qualities and community involvement.

Roy concluded her session by reminding students of the competitive nature of scholarships and encouraged them to apply to multiple programmes to increase their chances of success.

Sandhya Krishnan from YRGCARE shared the journey of the student mobility programme, highlighting opportunities in America and addressing the gaps in information that often placed the students from northeast at disadvantage.

Krishnan also discussed YRGCARE’s efforts to address those challenges through internal road mapping and progress made.

The seminar included with an open discussion, where students actively engaged with the resource persons.