Houston: Despite the economic meltdown,
India has maintained its position as the top sender of
students to America for the eighth consecutive year, with a
record 103,260 students enrolled in various US universities
for the year 2008-09.
According to the Open Doors report, released today by the
Institute of International Education (IIE) with support from
the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, the number of international students at
colleges and universities in the US increased by 8 per cent to
an all-time high of 671,616 in the 2008-09 academic year.
The 8 per cent rise in international student numbers is
the largest increase reported since 1980-81 and marks the
third year of significant growth.
India has once again surpassed China as the leading place
of origin for international students in the United States.
However, while Indian student enrolment increased by 9
per cent from last year, that of China (98,510) shot up by 21
per cent. South Korean enrolment (75,065) is up 9 per cent.
Open Doors 2009 reports that the number of "new"
international students -- those enrolled for the first time at
a US college or university in Fall 2008 -- increased by 16 per
cent.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, November 16, 2009, 22:03