Jakarta (ANTARA) - The United States, together with Australia, India, and Japan (Quad governments), is offering fellowships to students from the Quad and ASEAN countries to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the US.
"The program sponsors exceptional master's and doctoral students to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the United States," executive vice president, program development and partner services, Institute of International Education (IIE), Jonah Kokodyniak, said during a virtual interview on Tuesday.
The fellowship is being offered in collaboration with IIE, a global organization that manages the world's most prestigious scholarship programs, to develop a network of science and technology experts committed to the collective good by advancing innovation and collaboration in private, public, and academic sectors.
"The program builds foundational understanding among Quad fellows of one another, society, and cultures through programming and networking opportunities with each country's top scientists, technologists, and politicians," he informed.
In addition to supporting very talented researchers, they are also identifying candidates who are committed to collaboration in areas like climate change, public health, and utilizing artificial intelligence for the public good.
In the first cohort of the fellowship, they selected students from the four Quad countries: Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.
Meanwhile, they have also expanded the program to 10 ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, not only to broaden the geographic scope of the program, but also to underscore the fellowships' commitment to delivering concrete benefits for the Indo-Pacific region.
"We received a high volume of applications from nearly every ASEAN country during this outreach cycle, demonstrating the significant demand in the region and the ASEAN countries for US higher education and scientific collaboration," Kokodyniak said.
He further said that the IIE is currently in the process of selecting candidates for the fellowship.
"We are in that selection process correctly. So in about a month, we will announce the fellows," he informed.
Those interested in obtaining the fellowship can access registration-related information on the quadfellowship.org webpage.
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"We're currently selecting the second cohort of students in the fall and winter of 2024. And in 2025, we will be selecting the third cohort of applicants," he said.
In the meantime, a US official emphasized the Quad partners' commitment to delivering concrete benefits to students from ASEAN countries.
"Earlier this year, Quad partners came together to expand eligibility for the Quad Fellowship to students from Southeast Asia, which reflects the Quad's commitment to delivering concrete benefits for our partners throughout ASEAN," the official said.
"We are very pleased that so many talented students from Southeast Asia applied for this prestigious fellowship," he added.