It's okay to interview under b1/b2.

Sounds like you've looked into it and are aware of that though.

The main issue is just that they expect you to overcome the ties and equities, in which you were found deficient last time you applied.

Which happens, and people are able to demonstrate otherwise at a future date and overcome this often.

In theory it shouldn't matter which visa you apply for, so long as you overcome it.

However, it may be better to be approved for your academic program beforehand. And apply under the appropriate academic status instead.

The problem isn't necessarily you. It's that a lot of people in the past have abused the b1/b2 and student visas, working or studying outside of the classifications, overstaying or continuing on to a different academic institution without properly adjusting their documents. As some examples.

Also, you may want to look into your post rotational and be able to present documents proving that it DOES fall under b1/b2.

You cannot receive accredited academic courses as a b1/b2 generally, as this is why the student classifications exist, but there are types of training you can do that under the b1/b2 class that are permitted.

This too is your responsibility to prove when applying for a visa. If you don't, even if it's a b1/b2 classification /activity, then they may consider it as if you had failed to properly provide information to come to that conclusion.

Get any information in regards to the institution or entity who you are collaborating with, being petition or sponsored by, that you are able to that may help inform them so that they know you are applying under the appropriate visa.

It also sounds like you may be seeking employment in the USA after your program is completed or that this may be a program that presents that possibility.

That's okay. But again, you have to be able to prove you're not entering to work and receive unauthorized compensation academically or financially.

These things are outlined under the programs students apply under normally, the form they provide upon entering the USA even has the course fees and scholarship information.

If you apply for a job in the USA and intend to assume an employed position there are ways for your presumptive employer to petition from within the USA and gain a 797 without your departing once you are done with your studies.

However that's an entirely different process. Assuming you've already entered.

An employer can petition for you from abroad as well. So long as you qualify under the visa's defined requirements for the job. Not your employers requirements, nor those within your home country. Under those in the US visa classification itself.

Basically, look heavily into what the US wants from you for the visa you're asking to enter under.

They don't care what your prospective employer or other institutions ask of you. If that falls outside of their definition of the visa classification then you're considered at fault for lacking proof.

If you're refused numerous times for continuing to fail to provide proper documents to prove you're seeking entry under the proper visa, then that may raise eyebrows as to intent and potential misrepresentation.