U.S. Welcomes Indian Students, Prepares for PM Singh

November 18, 2009 | New Delhi

Once again - for the eighth consecutive year - Indian students top the rankings as the largest student body among foreign students studying in the U.S., with the number of Indian students exceeding one lakh, according to the Institute of International Education's annual Open Doors report.

Announcing the 2009 Open Doors numbers, the U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer said, "The relationship between the United States and India, bolstered and energized by the exchange of innovative ideas and dynamic people-to-people ties, can at times be hard to quantify in its many dimensions - but the outstanding news of the record number of Indian students studying in the U.S. is concrete evidence of the strength and depth of our connection. The dignity and strength of our nations depends on the education of our peoples, and we must aggressively seize the opportunities to unite the wisdom of centuries that shapes India and the bold visions of tomorrow that make America a symbol of humankind's unleashed potential. These extraordinary numbers, growing each year, are a testament to the deep and robust relationship our two countries share and the bright future of cooperation the peoples of our great nations will see."

Ambassador Roemer added, "The United States is committed to enriching the educational experiences and opportunities of students and peoples from all walks of life, belief and economic background.  As I have visited schools across India, I have seen the determination and commitment of students and their families to use education as the key to unlocking a better future.  It is a privilege and honor to work with them to achieve that future together."

Open Doors Statistic

• According to the 2009 Open Doors report, the number of Indian students studying in the United States increased by 9% in 2008/9 -- from 94,563 to 103,260.
• This is the eighth year in a row that India leads as the country sending the most students to the United States.
• The Indian student numbers in the U.S. for 2008/9 in detail are: 15,600 undergraduates, 71,019 graduates (including masters and PhD programs), 1,755 non-degree, and 14,886 internship participants.
• In 2007/8, the Indian student distribution in the U.S. was: 13,639 undergraduates, 68,069 graduates, 979 non-degree, and 10,846 internship participants.
• According to the 2009 report, the number of U.S. students studying in India has increased 20% to 3,150.

U.S.-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) and Fulbright-Nehru Information

• Between the 2008 to 2009 scholarship years, the Fulbright-Nehru Student and Scholar Exchange Program increased from 48 U.S. participants to 92, and from 41 Indian participants to 72.
• Since 1950, USIEF has awarded approximately 8,200 Fulbright grants and 8,700 other awards for a total of around 17,000 fellowships for Indians to study and participate in internships in the United States.

The Open Doors report is published by the Institute of International Education, the leading not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organization in the United States. IIE has conducted an annual statistical survey of the international students in the United States since 1949, and with support from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since the early 1970s. The census is based on a survey of close to 3,000 accredited U.S. institutions. Open Doors also reports on surveys on international scholars at U.S. universities; international students enrolled in pre-academic Intensive English Programs; and on U.S. students studying abroad (since 1985). A full press kit and further details on the Open Doors 2009 surveys and their findings can be accessed on www.opendoors.iienetwork.org, and the full 128 page report can be ordered for $64.95 from IIE Books at www.iiebooks.org.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State manages a wide range of academic, professional, and cultural exchanges that include approximately 40,000 participants annually, with the goal of increasing mutual understanding and respect between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. ECA manages the EducationUSA network of advising offices (http://educationusa.state.gov/) for students around the world who wish to study in the United States. For more information on the Department of State's educational and cultural exchange activities, visitwww.exchanges.state.gov.

For more information on the U.S.-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), please visit their website at www.usief.org.in.