KIIT launches US-backed English Access Programme to boost global skills of STEM students

THEBUSINESSBYES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad, in collaboration with KIIT Deemed to be University, has launched a one-year English Access Scholarship Programme aimed at strengthening the academic communication and research skills of students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

The programme, supported by the Regional English Language Office (RELO) of the U.S. Mission to India, was inaugurated on September 9 in the presence of U.S. Consul General Laura Williams and a delegation from the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad.

As many as 50 students will be enrolled in the programme, which seeks to familiarise them with U.S. standards in research and academic communication while enhancing their confidence and global exposure.

The initiative is expected to open new avenues for students in higher education, research and professional careers, besides further strengthening educational and cultural collaboration between India and the United States.

KIIT and KISS Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta expressed gratitude to the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad and RELO for supporting the initiative, describing it as an important opportunity for students to develop skills relevant to the global academic and professional environment.

 “This programme will help students from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines align their communication and research skills with U.S. standards. I always feel happy when our students get opportunities that help them learn, connect, and grow at the global level,” Samanta said.

The English Access Microscholarship Program, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy and managed by the U.S. Department of State, was first launched at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in 2009.

The programme was initially designed to build foundational English language skills among students, while also fostering an understanding of U.S. culture and developing critical thinking through after-school classes and intensive learning sessions.

The latest initiative at KIIT marks a further expansion of the programme's objectives, with a specific focus on equipping STEM students with the communication and research capabilities needed to engage confidently in an increasingly globalised academic and professional landscape.