Growing number of Bangladeshi students in US education institutions
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Salahuddin Ahmed
Education institutions in the USA are considered to be the best places for ones who are craving for a education background which is acceptable all over the world. Those who get the privilege to experience this world class education must fulfill quite a few requirements to step foot in these institutions. It does not necessarily mean that all the education institutions offer superb education, but overall it is considered that either an undergraduate or graduate US degree means a lot. We might not have idea about the number of students from many different countries studying in the USA. But a large number of scholars from all over the world are found in the expedition to fulfill their dreams by entering into various colleges and universities in the USA. Students from all over the globe join in various education institutions in the US that create a great diversity; as a matter of fact all of these institutions look for a true diversity that they think would help American students to know about the outside world well. It would be interesting to know students from which countries find US education to enter more effortlessly. In the US, the trend of international students' entrance is of growing importance to governments, business leaders and educators worldwide as students are increasingly looking for higher education opportunities in global market place. In the USA, Institute of International Education (IIE), which is a private nonprofit organization, collaborates with governments, foundations and other sponsors to support programmes of study and training for students, educators and professionals from all sectors. These programmes include the flagship Fulbright Programme and Gilman Scholarships administered for the US Department of State. IIE also conducts policy research, provides resources on international exchange opportunities and offers support to students facing difficulties . Each year, the Institute of International Education publishes the Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange to reveal new statistics and analyses of international and US student flows based on surveys of accredited US higher education institutes. The Open Doors Project is supported by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, an agency that plays a critical and unique role in internationalizing US higher education. As far as this Open Doors report is concerned, the US hosts more international students than any other country, reflecting the quality and diversity for which American higher education is known around the globe. Open Doors report present information in different ways to portray the best scenario of international students studying in the USA. Primarily all students are divided into three categories: Undergraduate, Graduate and Non-Degree. According to 200910 Open Doors Report, the number of international students in the US increased 2.9 % over the previous year to 690,923. Both 200809 and 200910 reports depict that the top three places of origin of these students studying in the USA are China, India and South Korea. Every year Open Doors Report highlights top 25 countries from where these students come to the US institutions. A number of world leading US universities host these students that include Harvard University, University of Southern Carolina, Columbia University, Ohio State University and so on. For the first time ever, the number of students from Bangladesh secured a place in the list of the top 25 places of origin of international students. Bangladesh is in number 25 as far as the most graduate international students in the USA are concerned. According to 200910 report, there are in total 1461 students studying at graduate level from Bangladesh. This is of course only the number of the graduate students; there are also undergraduate and non degree students as well. For Bangladesh, this number is esteemed, because most of the students come to the USA for graduate studies. There are quite a few students who enter into the USA from South Korea, Saudi Arabia, China, but most of these students come as non-degree students. By non-degree, we mean students coming for a very short period of time to complete a short diploma, not any comprehensive undergraduate or graduate degree. Many students from these countries also come to study English initially and later get enrolled as regular academic students. It should be mentioned here that a good number of students from Saudi Arabia increased spectacularly merely because the Saudi government spend millions of dollars for their students. Unfortunately, there is almost no fund from Bangladesh government to spend in sending a few students to the USA for study. Most of the Bangladeshi students come to the USA with receiving scholarship from the US government such as Full Bright, PLUS (Partnership for Learning Undergraduate Studies), or receiving fund form the universities. There are also a limited number of Bangladeshi students in the USA who merely depend on the family income source. It is conceivable that Bangladeshi students who come to the USA have commanding education background with a good English Test (TOEFL, IELTS) score. Unlike Chinese, Saudi Arabian and South Korean students, Bangladeshi students, by and large, do not come here to study English initially. It would be important to mention that any student not having a good TOEFL or IELTS score would not be able to enroll in any US institution as regular graduate or undergraduate students. These students still could come to the USA, but should complete a comprehensive English course before finally accepted in to academic programme. It is obvious that the Bangladeshi students do have huge potentialities, since most of them come to the USA and get into academic programmes directly. And especially with growing number of Bangladesh students, it can be hoped that these students will make their mark at various US education institutions. Since there are a limited number of students who are privileged to get admitted into the top education institutions, Bangladesh can expect that these scholars would come back home with a different vision to make a difference in this country. Bangladesh government needs to make sure to utilize the knowledge of these students studying in leading institutions. Bangladesh can motivate these students to lead an expedition for securing a commanding position for Bangladesh in the world map. The writer is Graduate Assistant, School of Business and Economics, Ashland University, USA, Lecturer (on leave), State University of Bangladesh E-mail: sahmed@ashland.edu
Education institutions in the USA are considered to be the best places for ones who are craving for a education background which is acceptable all over the world. Those who get the privilege to experience this world class education must fulfill quite a few requirements to step foot in these institutions. It does not necessarily mean that all the education institutions offer superb education, but overall it is considered that either an undergraduate or graduate US degree means a lot. We might not have idea about the number of students from many different countries studying in the USA. But a large number of scholars from all over the world are found in the expedition to fulfill their dreams by entering into various colleges and universities in the USA. Students from all over the globe join in various education institutions in the US that create a great diversity; as a matter of fact all of these institutions look for a true diversity that they think would help American students to know about the outside world well. It would be interesting to know students from which countries find US education to enter more effortlessly. In the US, the trend of international students' entrance is of growing importance to governments, business leaders and educators worldwide as students are increasingly looking for higher education opportunities in global market place. In the USA, Institute of International Education (IIE), which is a private nonprofit organization, collaborates with governments, foundations and other sponsors to support programmes of study and training for students, educators and professionals from all sectors. These programmes include the flagship Fulbright Programme and Gilman Scholarships administered for the US Department of State. IIE also conducts policy research, provides resources on international exchange opportunities and offers support to students facing difficulties . Each year, the Institute of International Education publishes the Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange to reveal new statistics and analyses of international and US student flows based on surveys of accredited US higher education institutes. The Open Doors Project is supported by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, an agency that plays a critical and unique role in internationalizing US higher education. As far as this Open Doors report is concerned, the US hosts more international students than any other country, reflecting the quality and diversity for which American higher education is known around the globe. Open Doors report present information in different ways to portray the best scenario of international students studying in the USA. Primarily all students are divided into three categories: Undergraduate, Graduate and Non-Degree. According to 200910 Open Doors Report, the number of international students in the US increased 2.9 % over the previous year to 690,923. Both 200809 and 200910 reports depict that the top three places of origin of these students studying in the USA are China, India and South Korea. Every year Open Doors Report highlights top 25 countries from where these students come to the US institutions. A number of world leading US universities host these students that include Harvard University, University of Southern Carolina, Columbia University, Ohio State University and so on. For the first time ever, the number of students from Bangladesh secured a place in the list of the top 25 places of origin of international students. Bangladesh is in number 25 as far as the most graduate international students in the USA are concerned. According to 200910 report, there are in total 1461 students studying at graduate level from Bangladesh. This is of course only the number of the graduate students; there are also undergraduate and non degree students as well. For Bangladesh, this number is esteemed, because most of the students come to the USA for graduate studies. There are quite a few students who enter into the USA from South Korea, Saudi Arabia, China, but most of these students come as non-degree students. By non-degree, we mean students coming for a very short period of time to complete a short diploma, not any comprehensive undergraduate or graduate degree. Many students from these countries also come to study English initially and later get enrolled as regular academic students. It should be mentioned here that a good number of students from Saudi Arabia increased spectacularly merely because the Saudi government spend millions of dollars for their students. Unfortunately, there is almost no fund from Bangladesh government to spend in sending a few students to the USA for study. Most of the Bangladeshi students come to the USA with receiving scholarship from the US government such as Full Bright, PLUS (Partnership for Learning Undergraduate Studies), or receiving fund form the universities. There are also a limited number of Bangladeshi students in the USA who merely depend on the family income source. It is conceivable that Bangladeshi students who come to the USA have commanding education background with a good English Test (TOEFL, IELTS) score. Unlike Chinese, Saudi Arabian and South Korean students, Bangladeshi students, by and large, do not come here to study English initially. It would be important to mention that any student not having a good TOEFL or IELTS score would not be able to enroll in any US institution as regular graduate or undergraduate students. These students still could come to the USA, but should complete a comprehensive English course before finally accepted in to academic programme. It is obvious that the Bangladeshi students do have huge potentialities, since most of them come to the USA and get into academic programmes directly. And especially with growing number of Bangladesh students, it can be hoped that these students will make their mark at various US education institutions. Since there are a limited number of students who are privileged to get admitted into the top education institutions, Bangladesh can expect that these scholars would come back home with a different vision to make a difference in this country. Bangladesh government needs to make sure to utilize the knowledge of these students studying in leading institutions. Bangladesh can motivate these students to lead an expedition for securing a commanding position for Bangladesh in the world map. The writer is Graduate Assistant, School of Business and Economics, Ashland University, USA, Lecturer (on leave), State University of Bangladesh E-mail: sahmed@ashland.edu