Press Releases 2007

December 4, 2007

The U.S. Department of Commerce Announces Broadcast of U.S. Electronic Education Fair for India

Television Broadcasts to Highlight Indian Experiences in American Higher Education

NEW DELHI, INDIA - The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today the broadcast dates for a series of made-for-TV documentaries for Indian students and their families showcasing the experiences of Indian students studying in the United States.  The programs will be shown nationally beginning December 8 on CNBC TV 18.   
 
The documentaries are part of a "U.S. Electronic Education Fair for India," a multimedia campaign to promote the breadth and depth of available U.S. higher education opportunities among Indian students, parents, and advisors.  In addition to TV broadcasts, the programs will be available at www.NamasteStudyUSA.com along with other U.S. study information resources.

"The Commerce Department is proud to sponsor this initiative which helps strengthen the long-term bonds between our two great nations," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez.  "Improving the education of our students ensures the long-term competitiveness of our economies and builds relationships that last a lifetime."

Indian students were interviewed and filmed for the documentaries at 17 different American institutions of higher education including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Rhode Island School of Design, Tulane University, Lewis and Clark College, Bellevue Community College and the University of California at Davis.  Indian alumni of U.S. colleges and universities were also interviewed, discussing how their American educations contributed to their successful careers upon returning home. 

"American colleges and universities genuinely welcome Indian students on their campuses, and this year over 83,000 young people, a record number, are building strong careers for the future with an American educational experience," said David C. Mulford, U.S. Ambassador to India.

India is the leading country of origin for international students on American campuses.  Each year, U.S. Educational Foundation for India (USEFI) advisory centers throughout India help make the process of selecting one of our more than 4,000 accredited institutions of higher education easier for America-bound Indian students.

The "U.S. Electronic Education Fair for India" documentaries, supported in part by a gift from Educational Testing Service and Test of English as a Foreign Language (ETS/TOFEL) will air in two episodes on CNBC TV 18 in India. While air times are subject to change, the episodes are scheduled to run as follows:

Episode 1
Saturday, December 8 - 7:00 pm (Original)
Saturday, December 22 - 7:00 pm (Repeat)
 
Episode 2
Saturday, December 15 - 7:00 pm (Original)
Sunday, December 23 -7:00 pm (Repeat)