Kathmandu, November 14:

The number of Nepali students enrolled at colleges and universities in the United States grew up by 25 per cent last year (2005/2006), 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 Educational and Cultural Affairs.

A total of 6,061 students enrolled in 2005-06 whereas the number was 4,861 in 2004-05.

The increase places Nepal among the top 20 countries sending students to study in the United States. Nepal rose from number 23 to number 19 in the ranking of countries, outpacing Pakistan, which is in 20th place with 5,759 students, and Malaysia, which dropped out of

the top 20 with 5,515 students in the United States in 2005-06, a press release issued

from the American Centre in Nepal stated, quoting the report.

s India, with 76,503 students in the United States, is ranked number one.

In a statement on International Education Week, which the Department of State and the US Department of Education are observing this week (November 13-17), Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: “Each year, more than 550,000 students from all over the world come to the United States to study in order to gain a better understanding of this country.

They return to their home countries to share their experiences and develop careers that build on the knowledge and insights they gain at our colleges and universities. Many of the students go on to hold positions of leadership in their countries.”