November 14, 2007
I want to welcome you all to the inauguration of the U.S. Educational Foundation in India (USEFI)’s program for International Education Week. For USEFI, the Consulate and the United States Government, International Education Week is an important opportunity to highlight the value of study in the United States.
As former Undersecretary for Public Affairs Karen Hughes said to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry earlier this year:
India is already the number one country in the world in sending students to the United States for higher education -- and we want to build on this and expand partnerships and linkages between our institutions for the benefit of the next generation of Indians and Americans. America wants to open its doors even wider to students from India, and we want more American young people to travel to India to study and learn.
The latest figures for the 2006-2007 academic year are impressive, with 83,833 students from India studying in the United States (up 9.6% from the previous year). Since 2001/02, India has remained the leading place of origin for students coming to the United States.
India has been the number one sending place of origin since 2001/02 when it surpassed China. 2000/01 marked a new surge in enrollments from India, with an increase of 30%, followed by two more years of double digit growth, (22% and 12%, respectively).
Year
| # of Students from India
| % of Total Foreign Students in US
| # of US Study Abroad Students Going to India
|
2006/07
| 83,833
| 14.4%
| n/a
|
2005/06
| 76,503
| 13.5%
| 2,115 (up 19.7%)
|
2004/05
| 80,466
| 14.2%
| 1,767
|
2003/04
| 79,736
| 13.9%
| 1,157
|
2002/03
| 74,603
| 12.7%
| 692
|
2001/02
| 66,836
| 11.5%
| 627
|
2000/01
| 54,664
| 9.9%
| 750
|
1999/00
| 42,337
| 8.2%
| 811
|
1998/99
| 37,482
| 7.6%
| 707
|
1997/98
| 33,818
| 7.0%
| 684
|
1996/97
| 30,641
| 6.7%
| 601
|
1995/96
| 31,743
| 7.0%
| 470
|
I believe that the rapid and continued increase in Indians studying the in United States is reflection of the growing awareness in India that the United States offers the finest educational opportunities in the world. With over 3,000 institutions of higher learning, there is any number of choices for a prospective student, depending on his or her interests, income or aspirations.
You all here today have taken the first step in this process of study in the United States and we the consulate are here to help you. We have many resources and offices in the Consulate to assist you. Our lead office naturally is USEFI, which provides information and counseling on study in the United States and is clearly the best source for answers to your many questions – better than many outside offices or agencies that claim to be able to assist.
Also, we have here at the American Center another excellent resource, our American Library, which has an excellent collection of over 20,000 books, periodicals and other learning resources that you can use to prepare yourselves for study in the United States. I would encourage you see our library while you are here during this program and take advantage of its great facilities.
I know another issue that comes up often for students planning to study in the United States is that of getting a visa. There has been a misperception that the process for obtaining a visa is difficult and daunting. However, as evidenced by the historic number of Indian students in the United States, many people have successfully applied for and have received a U.S. visa. We have increased our staffing and improved our facilities to make the process quicker and easier for all of you. Appointments are available in just three days and during the summer enrollment period, we give priority to student applicants. For the bona fide student applicant, you should not be concerned about the visa application process.
Being here today, you have all made an important decision for your future. I commend you for the great step you have taken and again assure you that all of us here at the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata stand ready to help you start this great learning adventure.
I wish you all great success in your studies and hope I might even run into one of you the next time I am back in the United States.
Thank you,
Consul General
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