South and Central Asia

Working closely with businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations in the South and Central Asia region, the Institute of International Education (IIE) has developed and implemented a strong set of activities in higher education scholarship administration, leadership development, and critical development fields, including energy.

IIE Offices in South and Central Asia

Almaty

New Delhi

Overview

IIE is a leader in research on higher education in India and U.S.-India exchange, as well as in promoting partnerships between U.S. institutions of higher education and their counterparts in India. In addition, IIE maintains strong participant representation from countries in South and Central Asia traditionally underrepresented in exchange programs. Among others these countries include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Representative Programs in South and Central Asia

Rutgers University India Collaboration, launched in 2024, is a program IIE will implement on behalf of Rutgers University to support priorities in student recruitment, study abroad opportunities, alumni engagement, and academic partnerships. IIE has developed an outreach and recruitment strategy to build awareness of Rutgers’ unique brand, strengthened Rutgers’s connections to academic partners in India, and will continue to provide on-site support for Rutgers’ study abroad programs.

The Quad Fellowship, proudly administered by IIE, is an initiative of the governments of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. This first-of-its-kind scholarship program is designed to build ties among the next generation of scientists and technologists. The Quad Fellowship is operated in consultation with a non-governmental task force composed of academic, foreign policy, and private sector leaders from each Quad country.

The Avery Dennison Foundation EnviroChamp Fellowship aims to empower women in India to take on future leadership roles in environmental sustainability. It offers professional development through discussion and project-based learning, fostering strategic relationships and networks among peers.

International Academic Partnership Programs (IAPP) are designed by IIE to increase academic partnerships between universities in the U.S. and around the world. IIE has led three IAPP delegations to India since the program’s debut in 2009, guiding U.S. institutions through the Indian higher education system and providing a forum for U.S. and Indian institutions to learn about each other’s priorities and challenges and form sustainable international partnerships.

Our Services

IIE works closely with universities and other organizations to design and implement comprehensive programs that support their unique strategic goals.

• Outreach and Recruitment. IIE develops targeted outreach and recruitment plans that align with student enrollment goals in priority countries and regions. Our plans will build on IIE’s best practices in international student recruitment for prestigious academic programs and effective strategies to reach and engage with target audiences, including virtual and in-person activities.
• Application Design and Assessment. IIE has extensive experience developing applications for international programs that are technologically innovative, easily adaptable to specific program needs, and match the eligibility criteria for top applicants.
• Higher Education Institution Partnerships. With our global reach, IIE has cultivated a network of more than 1,600 colleges and universities around the world. Our India office has long-standing relationships with local universities, working closely with higher education leaders and administrators, admissions and enrollment management, and sponsored student services, among others.
• Placement Expertise. IIE annually places thousands of students at higher education institutions around the world. We have a deep understanding of application processes, the unique challenges that students face looking to study abroad, and how to effectively advise students to meet their academic goals.
• Student Support. IIE is committed to providing student support that is accessible, resourceful, and ongoing. IIE provides in-person and virtual pre-departure services, academic advising throughout a program’s lifecycle, and additional logistical or administrative support as needed.

Our Approach

IIE’s approach to higher education partnerships is collaborative, adaptive, and innovative. Our work is based on our decades of experience implementing some of the world’s most prestigious international education programs on behalf of our partners.

• On-the-ground support. To provide tailored support, IIE is experienced in hiring a distinct university staff representative to serve as the primary point of contact for our university partners out of our New Delhi office. This staff member will work with our core IIE team in India to ensure students have access to in-person support and provide our university partners with a local liaison.
• Connecting universities to local partners and resources. IIE’s New Delhi office has an extensive network of local education stakeholders in-country. IIE will facilitate connections between relevant university faculty, administrators, and Ministry of Education officials to ensure our partnerships are able to execute their goals effectively.
• Strategic planning based on local knowledge. Our long-standing presence in India means that we have a deep understanding of the local education system, and can offer our partners unique advice on networking, placement, and how best to support the priorities of international students.