India Launches ASEAN-India Fellowship for Higher Education in Agriculture and Allied Sciences

New Delhi: To strengthen educational ties between India and the ASEAN nations, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, launched the ASEAN-India Fellowship for Higher Education in Agriculture and Allied Sciences today. The event, held at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in Pusa, New Delhi, was attended by Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary and Shri Ram Nath Thakur, along with key dignitaries from ASEAN member countries.

Speaking at the launch, Chouhan praised ICAR for its pivotal role in shaping agricultural education in India. He highlighted ICAR’s contributions to setting the standards, rules, and policies that ensure the thriving of agrarian education across the nation, contributing to sustainable development in the sector. With around 135 international students currently pursuing their degrees at various agricultural universities in India, the Minister noted that the ASEAN-India Fellowship is poised to enhance this collaboration further.

“India’s partnership with ASEAN has always been strong, built on the foundation of ASEAN’s centrality to India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and the ‘Indo-Pacific Vision’,” Chouhan remarked. He emphasized that the new fellowship program will support postgraduate studies in emerging fields of agriculture and allied sciences, facilitating long-term academic engagement between India and ASEAN countries. This initiative aims to develop a pool of expert human resources in ASEAN, driving growth and innovation in agriculture and allied sciences.

Josel F. Ignacio, Ambassador of the Philippines to India and ASEAN’s Country Coordinator, echoed the sentiment of collaboration and mutual growth. He emphasized that the ASEAN-India Fellowship Programme embodies the spirit of partnership, aiming to build a reservoir of expertise in agriculture and allied sciences across the ASEAN region.

Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) and Secretary (ICAR), highlighted ICAR’s ongoing efforts to address food security issues faced by ASEAN countries. He spoke on the importance of collaboration between ASEAN countries and India in tackling agricultural challenges, further solidifying the relationship between the regions.

Paramita Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Oceania & Indo-Pacific, Ministry of External Affairs, provided insights into the ‘Act East Policies’ and the ASEAN Cooperation Project, reinforcing the importance of this initiative in India’s broader regional strategy.

The ASEAN-India Fellowship is set to begin with the academic year 2024-25, offering 50 fellowships (10 per year) to students from ASEAN member countries for a master’s degree in agriculture and allied sciences. Funded under the ASEAN-India Fund for five years, the fellowship covers all expenses, including tuition, living costs, and incidental fees. This initiative will not only provide students with access to cutting-edge research at Indian agricultural universities but will also foster long-term academic and cultural connections between India and ASEAN nations.

The launch event was attended by Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Deputy Chiefs of Mission from ASEAN countries, as well as ICAR’s Deputy Directors General, Vice-Chancellors of Deemed Universities and State Agricultural Universities, and other officials. The program marks a milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen educational ties with ASEAN countries, offering a platform for intercultural exchange and fostering a deeper understanding of agriculture-related challenges in the region.

With this initiative, India and ASEAN nations are set to forge even stronger bonds in the field of agricultural education, paving the way for future innovations and collaborative growth.