WASHINGTON DC: Report of Open Doors 2009 on international students studying in the US, reveals that Indian origin Hindu-Buddhists combine are the forerunners among the foreign student enrolment in US, beating the numbers of Christians and Muslims this time like previous year.
The number of international students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by eight per cent to an all-time high of 671,616 in the 2008/09 academic year, according to the Open Doors report, which is published annually by the Institute of International Education (IIE) with support from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This is the largest percentage increase in international student enrolments since 1980/81, and marks the third consecutive year of significant growth (with increases of seven per cent in 2007/08 and three per cent in 2006/07). The total international student count exceeds by 14.5 per cent the prior peak enrolment year (2002/03).
Again India continues to be the top place of origin for international students coming to the United States for higher studies for the eighth year in a row. Open Doors 2009 reports increases in foreign student enrolments from seven of the ten leading places of origin, and 19 of the top 25, with increases of more than 20 per cent from four countries. India remains the leading place of origin for the eighth consecutive year, increasing by nine per cent to 103,260. Students from China, once again the second leading sender, increased 21 per cent for a total of 98,510. South Korea, in third place, increased nine per cent to 75,065. Canada, the only non-Asian country in the top five, rose to fourth place with an increase of two per cent to 29,697, surpassing Japan, now in fifth place after students declined for the fourth consecutive year, decreasing by 14 per cent to 29,264. Taiwan remained in sixth place, with 28,065 students, a three per cent decline. The number of students from Mexico, the seventh-leading sender, remained flat this year, with a total of 14,850.
Students from the four places of origin-India, China, South Korea and Japan, from leading five (Canada in fourth place)- comprise more than 45 per cent of all international students enrolled in US higher education.
From the above table it is evident that Indian students accounted for 15.4 per cent of all foreign students, followed closely by China (14.6 per cent) and South Korea (11.2 per cent).
As for total international student enrolment this time (671,616), the number of international students studying in the US has been increased steadily, with a remarkable growth of 7.7 per cent of the previous year’s total (623,805).
International students contribute $17.8 billion to the US economy, through their expenditures on tuition and living expenses, according to the US Department of Commerce. Higher education is among the United States’ top service sector exports, as international students provide revenue to the US economy and individual host states for living expenses, including room and board, books and supplies, transportation, health, insurance, support for accompanying family members, and other miscellaneous items. Open Doors 2009 reports that 65 per cent of all international students receive the majority of their funds from personal and family sources. When other sources of foreign funding are included, such as assistance from their home country governments or universities, 70 per cent of all international students’ primary funding comes from sources outside of the United States.
It is a fact that Indian (Hindu) origins are contributing a substantial gain to the US economy including the human resource development with subtle intellectual assets to US. Obviously both the US Education and Economy are substantially strengthened by the aspirant Hindu students as important contributors.
Institutions that have devoted more resources for international student recruitment trips seem to have concentrated mainly on Asia, with China, Korea, Japan and India as most popular recruitment destinations.
Posted in Hindu Education, Hindu Existence, Hindu World, World Hindus | Tagged: Duke University, Hindu contribution in US Education and Economy, Hindu Students Association, Hindu-Buddhists top foreign student enrolment in US, Open Doors 2009 report on international students studying in the US, Rajan Zed
(From Hinduexistence)
Table
Top 5 Places of Origin of International Students, 2007/08 & 2008/09
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