KATHMANDU: The number of Nepali students in US colleges and universities jumped by 18.4 per cent in the past year, according to a US government report.

The 2016 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, released today, finds that this increase comes after six years of decline in the number of students going to the US for higher education -- almost 30 per cent decrease since 2009.

"With 9,662 students enrolled for the academic year, Nepalis are one of the fastest growing student communities in the United States," a statement issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu read, "US universities and colleges hosted a new high of nearly 1.044 million international students enrolled in the past year, representing five per cent of the total student population."

In total, the number of international students at US colleges and universities surpassed one million for the first time, during the 2015-16 academic year—an increase of seven per cent from the previous year, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy hosted an Education Fair at the Yak and Yeti Hotel on Monday, as part of the International Education Week.

During the fair, students met with representatives from 20 US Higher Education Institutions throughout the day, according to the statement.

"US Embassy consular officers also shared information about how students can be better prepared, make active choices about their education based upon independent and unbiased research, and avoid the trap of unnecessary and expensive educational consultancies."