Uncle Sam is again popular with Gujarat students

The number of Indian students at colleges and universities in the US increased by 2% this year as against last year when the figures had indicated a sharp fall in their numbers. However, Indian students remain the second largest international group in the US, coming after students from China.

The total number of Indian students in the US reached 1,05,000 in 2010. Indians now comprise 15% of all international students in higher academia in the United States.

These findings are mentioned in the Open Doors report which is published in November every year by the Institute of International Education (IIE), with support from the US state department’s bureau of educational and cultural affairs.

Seena Nair is the centre head of the Indo-American Education Society, an affiliate of the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) in Ahmedabad. She said that, compared to last year, the number of Indian students going to the US for higher education from Gujarat had doubled this year.

“This is in line with the overall trend of more Indian students opting for the US this year,” Nair said. “Because of the global economic slump in 2008-2009, the number of US-bound students from India
had fallen.”

The University of Southern California remains at the top among host universities in the US for students from India.

California leads as the host state while New York is the top host US city for Indian of students.  As for the subject most sought after by Indian students, Business Management, and Engineering remained the top choices of the students.

The Open Doors 2009 had noted a downturn in outward bound flow of Indian students towards the US last year, while this year it has documented a modest rise in the numbers.

The prime factor cited for the rise is increased recruitment efforts by the US institutions.

About 1,03,260 students from India were in the US during 2008-09, while the number rose to 1,04,897 students in 2009-10, according to the Open Doors report.

The report is based on a survey of approximately 3,000 accredited US institutions.

The Open Doors data notes a record high number of international students in the US, and this year's growth was primarily driven by a 30% increase in Chinese student enrolments, nearly 1,28,000 students, or more than 18% of the total international student population. With this, China, replaced India as the leading sending country.   

However, early indications of Indian enrolments for fall 2010 showed that campuses have at present seen a gradual rise in enrolments for 2010-11 September  intakes. Though the increase in number of students is slender, the US universities and colleges have attracted a good number of Indian students. "This year, the US State Department, through partnerships with colleges and universities, has made it a priority to reach out particularly students from disadvantaged backgrounds," notes the Open Door report.