1) COVID-19 Indo-US Virtual Networks
Context: Recently, the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), boosts “COVID19 Indo-US virtual networks” to address COVID 19 challenges.
Key Points of COVID19 Indo-US Virtual Networks

• The Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), has invited Proposals for ‘COVID-19 Indo-U.S. Virtual Networks’ that would allow Indian and U.S. scientists and engineers currently engaged in COVID-related research to carry out joint research activities through a virtual mechanism, leveraging existing infrastructure and funding.
• Global challenges like COVID 19 call for global collaborations and partnerships, bringing together the best and brightest scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to work together to find solutions not only to address the current pandemic but also for the challenges that lie ahead.
• The Department of Science and Technology, Governments of India, and the U.S. Department of State are respective nodal departments.

Context: Recently, IUSSTF - Viterbi Program creates long-term S&T linkages between India & US under which 14 students will undertake a research internship at Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, LA, USA.

• The Viterbi Program of IUSSTF was developed between IUSSTF and the Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California (USC). 
• This program is a part of the Government’s endeavour to encourage research and development amongst the bright young Indian minds to create long-term, sustainable, and vibrant linkages between India and the US.
• Under this 8 week internship period students would be working broadly in areas of Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning and Neural Networks, communication circuits, Analog and Digital Circuit Design, and so on.

About The Indo-U.S Science and Technology Forum(IUSSTF)

• It was established under an agreement between the Governments of India and the United States of America in March 2000.
• It is an autonomous bilateral organization jointly funded by both the Governments.
• Its aim is to  promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation through substantive interaction among government, academia and industry. 
• The Department of Science & Technology,Governments of India and the U.S. Department of States are respective nodal departments and also the fund provider to it.

Objectives

• Create awareness through exchange and dissemination of Information and Opportunities in S&T cooperation.
• Capitalize and build on the scientific and technological synergy leading to long term partnerships on shared values.
• Support an exciting program portfolio that leads to sustainable interactions and strengthens strategic partnerships.
• Nurture contacts between young and mid-career scientists to develop mutual trust, foster excellence and explore new frontiers
• Encourage public-private partnerships to foster elements of Innovation, Application and Enterprise.

Other India-US Engagement on Education

• The Fulbright program- It offers international educational and cultural exchange programs.
• The Higher Education Dialogue- It laid out the road map for promoting strategic institutional partnerships, deepening collaboration in research and development, fostering partnerships in vocational education and focusing on junior faculty development.
• Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN)- It is launched by India, under this upto 1000 American academics will be invited and hosted each year to teach in Indian universities at their convenience.
• The two sides are also collaborating to establish a new Indian Institute of Technology in Ahmedabad.
• India is also learning from the U.S. experience in community colleges in order to meet our demands for skill-development and has agreed to collaborate with U.S. institutions in the area of Technology Enabled Learning and Massive Open On-line Courses (MOOCs) to extend the reach of education in India.