The United States' top education official traveled to India recently, and found that technology has leveled the playing field between the countries.

Education Department Secretary Margaret Spellings said her visit reaffirmed her belief that the United States needs to focus on improving education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Those topics are referred to as STEM in certain circles. Spellings joined a U.S. congressional group in India, including Republican Sens. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Johnny Isakson of Georgia.

The secretary also toured facilities owned by General Electric, Google India and Texas Instruments. Spellings referenced Texas Instruments during a Monday press call for the education programs it offers employees.

The company has a well-established higher education program in India. The firm says the program impacts 30,000 students a year in more than 500 universities and colleges, Technology Daily reports.

Spellings said she witnessed a hunger for education in India, particularly in the STEM fields. Indians are constantly reminded that "education is the way out" of poverty, she said.

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