Kathmandu, November 18:

The number of Nepali students in US universities has grown by 11 per cent since last year to 4,861, according to a new annual report published by the Institute of International Education (IIE) with support from the US department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs.

Among top sender countries, Nepal is 23rd on the list and shows the highest rate of growth over the previous year, in which, 4,384 students enrolled in US varsities.

“The US is the best place to pursue higher education, and we assure international students they are welcome there,” said officials of the American Centre, Embassy of the United States, quoting Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Dina Habib Powell as saying on the occasion of International Education Week (November 14-18). In 2004-05, the number of international students enrolled in US higher education institutions was fairly steady at 565,039, but off about 1 per cent from the previous year’s totals, according to Open Doors 2005, IIE’s report. This marked the sixth year in a row that America hosted than half a million foreign students. Open Doors 2005 reports that Asia, which continues to be the largest sender

region by a wide margin, showed a slight increase in enrolments.