THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
11.07.2005

Tucson, Arizona | Published: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/101301

 
 
The number of new international graduate students enrolling in American universities appears to have rebounded slightly this fall after three years of decline.
 
The figure rose 1 percent compared to a year ago, the Council of Graduate Schools says in a new report. Following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the numbers fell 8 percent in 2002, 10 percent in 2003, and 3 percent in 2004.
 
"That's a positive sign. But we're certainly not rebounded to the pre-2002 levels," said Heath Brown, director of research and policy analysis at the council.
 
Experts blamed the sudden drop in interest among international students in attending American graduate programs after the 2001-02 school year on a range of factors, from visa delays to anti-Americanism to sharper competition from universities in other countries.
 
The trend alarmed both university administrators and foreign policy-makers because universities depend on foreign students for teaching and research - especially in the sciences. The also were concerned because educating international students, who then return home with a positive, firsthand experience of America, is seen as an important foreign policy tool.
 
Educators say the State and Homeland Security departments have streamlined visa approvals, and many universities have stepped up recruiting, which has at least leveled off the decline.
 
The survey, being officially released today, represents only an initial report, and complete figures will not be available until next year. But the 125 universities that responded represent most of the largest graduate programs.
 
Enrollment of students from China and India - the two largest sources of American students overall - rose 3 percent each. Enrollment from Middle Eastern countries rose 11 percent, though the numbers from that region are still comparatively small.
 
Jean Morrison, associate vice provost for graduate programs at the University of Southern California, which has the most international students of any American university, said international graduate enrollment there fell from 4,097 to 4,040 this year - though it did not decline as sharply in previous years as at other schools.
 
Competition from universities in Europe, Asia and Australia has never been fiercer, she added.
 
"I don't think 'out of the woods' is at all accurate," Morrison said. "It is still a very acute problem, and I think it is particularly acute in science and engineering."
 
About 1.5 million graduate students were enrolled in American universities last year, according to the graduate council, of whom about 225,000 came from other countries.