India sends most students to US, says report

Nov 13: A latest report on international educational exchange of 2006-2007 has revealed that India sent maximum number of students to US, which is a 10% increase from the previous report, raising the figures to 83,833.

The report Open Door 2007, published with the help of US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs marked India for its most number of students and thus contributing a significant amount of foreign exchange to US economy in $12.5 billion, a net contribution made by international students.

The report says one in seven international students was an Indian. The report also suggests that India is now attracting more US students with a significant growth of 20%.

The student profile of India shows that majority of students enrolled at the graduate level with 71.1% in the academic year 2006-7, 15% at undergraduate level, 12.8 % at other levels and 1.2 % for optional practical training.

But an autumn 2007 survey showed 16 % decline from India in new enrolments, which is interestingly opposite from the 38% rise in new enrolments by other countries.

India’s neighbour China is listed at second place with an 8% growth and South Korea is sitting at third place with an increase of 6%.

US higher education is considered as country’s fifth largest service sector, as the students meet 66% of their expenses by their home countries that is outside US hence, a source of large revenue generator, according to US Department of commerce.

University of Southern California has recorded sixth time the highest number of enrolment of international students, while United Kingdom remains the most popular destination for US students.

Business studies stays as the most popular field of study with 18% of the entirety followed by engineering with 15%. The field that grew at marked rate of 30% is been intensive English.

The report shows a positive picture at one side that the awareness has been increased over a period of time and now people are going abroad to get higher studies but also give you an idea about an off-putting education standard of our country, which has surely a lengthy road ahead to cover and a long way to go to build the appropriate infrastructure for the institutes’ of high academic qualities.