Is India poised to rival US universities in a global academic shift?
International students have been facing deportations for taking part in political protests to trivial offences such as traffic violations, dimming the allure of the American dream. Cuts to federal research grants have also driven students and academics to seek opportunities abroad.
For Asian countries such as India, which have struggled for decades to staunch the flow of top scientific and technological talent to America and other western nations, the churn in America’s educational and research institutions, represents a historic opportunity.
“The US has long led the world in higher education and public research funding. It is now destroying one of its greatest strengths,” said Naushad Forbes, chairman of the non-profit Ananta Aspen Centre, describing the worsening conditions as one of the most significant acts of self harm in history.

India has the student and faculty talent available. “We have to take advantage of the situation,” Forbes said, underscoring that intensive efforts are needed in research and development by tapping into academic talent offers the potential to leapfrog in economic growth.