New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Indian alumni of the International House of New York, a graduate-level residential and cultural centre, have established a $10,000 scholarship for Indians pursuing studies in New York, an official said Saturday.

The scholarship endowment will be awarded annually to Indians keen on graduate studies in the US city, though the number of recipients is yet to be finalised.

The International House is currently hosting its 24th World Council of Alumni meet in New Delhi and members stressed on better educational ties with India.

"By hosting The World Council of Alumni in Delhi we can establish stronger ties with educational advisors in India and continue to build bridges between our organisation and Indian leaders. With our scholarship endowment, we can better enable graduate students from India to help International House achieve its mission," said Donald L. Cuneo, president of International House New York.

"India, as a country, is growing increasingly important on the world stage. Students from India have long proven their academic and leadership abilities at US universities and as members of International House," Cuneo added.

India currently equals China for representing the fourth-largest contingent of non-US residents among International House members, comprising 3.8 percent of the total population.

The International House, a non-profit organisation that was set up in 1924, is home to over 700 graduate students and trainees from several countries.

"The International House provided an excellent opportunity for me to learn about cultures around the world and had a powerful influence in the way I think and view the world," said Harjiv Singh, co-founder and CEO of Gutenberg Communications, and an International House alumnus.

"The India alumni had focused on raising this $10,000 to provide Indian students the same opportunities to learn and develop leadership skills that we enjoyed," he added.