US Consulate Hyderabad extends student visa season by two weeks
HYDERABAD: The US Consulate in Hyderabad has extended the ‘Student Visa Season’ by two weeks to ensure that students who interview later in the season will arrive in time for their scheduled program to start.
According to the US Consulate, student visa interviews will now continue until the end of August 2024. The visa application process includes a biometric check followed by a short interview with a visa officer.
All posts in Mission India will have dedicated appointment slots for student (F/M/J) visa applicants from mid-May to mid-August. Slots were opened on May 20 and will be further opened in tranches, so prospective students should continuously monitor the US consulate’s appointment system for further details and updates.
According to the most recent Open Doors Report (ODR), for the third year in a row, a record number of Indian students traveled to the United States to pursue higher education. The number of Indian students studying in the United States increased by 35 percent, resulting in an all-time high of 268,923. Indian students constitute more than 25 percent of the over one million foreign students studying in the United States. The number of graduate students rose by 63 percent in 2023, an increase of nearly 64,000 students compared to the previous year, said a spokesperson from the U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad.
As mentioned, there are currently a record-breaking 268,000 Indian students studying in the United States. With such a significant increase, some other statistics are likely to rise as well. The numbers continue to grow based on publicly reported data and internal data on the demand for student visas.
While STEM interest continues to dominate, students are pursuing degrees across the spectrum, including innovative new fields of study offered by the more than 4,000 accredited higher education institutions in the United States and new dual and joint degree offerings between U.S. and Indian universities, according to spokesperson from the U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad.
According to Open Doors Report (ODR) 2022-2023 data, India leads in the number of individuals (69,062) who pursued optional practical training (OPT), a type of temporary work permission that allows eligible students to gain real-world experience related to their field of study. STEM fields continue to be the most popular courses of study in the United States for both undergraduates and graduate students in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states. Popular undergraduate courses include Computer Science (including AI and robotics) and Engineering (electrical, mechanical, and micro-engineering), as well as a growing interest in Psychology, according to EducationUSA.
CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.
Expansion of disaster management responsibilities
Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.
Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects
Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
