Number of Indian students in US to exceed 300,000: IIE

US higher educational institutions are poised to benefit from major changes in immigration policies implemented in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. (Illustration by Suneesh Kalarickal)

India will send more than 300,00 students to the US in the academic year 2023-24 as colleges there benefit from less favourable immigration policies in other countries, Vivek Mansukhani, head of the Institute of International Education (IIE) India, told Moneycontrol in an interview.

India may surpass China in terms of international student enrolment in the Open Doors report slated to release in November, Mansukhani said.

IIE, in partnership with the US Government's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, releases the Open Doors report on international students studying in higher education institutions in the US.

“We estimate the number would be over 300,000. After a brief pause due to COVID-19, America continues to be perceived favourably, especially in contrast to challenges faced by other countries like Canada and the UK. There may be changes in US policy in future, but for now, the current administration is favourable for students,” Mansukhani said.

The latest edition of the Open Doors report showed that China sent 289,000 students to the US in 2022-23 (a decline of 0.2 percent from 2021/22). India reached an all-time high of 268,000 students in 2022-23, an increase of 35 percent from the previous session.

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India had overtaken China in the academic year 2008-09 by sending 103,000 students, whereas China sent a little over 98,000 students. The report noted that for all places of origin, India continues to be the highest priority for undergraduate and graduate recruitment.

India focus

US higher educational institutions are poised to benefit from major changes in immigration policies implemented in Canada, the UK, and Australia. Mansukhani said the decisions in other regions could impact the US positively, given its longstanding reputation as the preferred destination for high-quality education.

“The appeal is strengthened by factors such as the presence of Indian faculty, family connections, and success stories in Silicon Valley. While education in the US is perceived as expensive, the availability of loans, scholarships, and post-graduation employment opportunities eases financial concerns. The flexibility provided by Optional Practical Training and visa facilities, particularly in STEM subjects, further enhances the attractiveness of studying in the US,” he said.

A delegation of 17 US universities was on a seven-day visit to India to strengthen India-US collaboration and student and scholar mobility between the two countries.

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Mansukhani said there are efforts to increase the number of Indian students studying abroad, particularly in less-known or less-popular universities. The focus is on using scholarships as a strategy to attract students.

While not all universities can provide large, India-specific scholarships, IIE has suggested offering partial scholarships or specific incentives, such as five scholarships for Indian students.

“The goal is to make these universities more appealing and competitive, encouraging them to incorporate this approach into their outreach strategies, whether through agents, representatives, or alumni engagement,” he said.

US campuses in India

The delegation had discussions with representatives from various cities and University Grant Commission chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar on setting up international branch campuses in India. Mansukhani said US universities in the delegation heard about the options for the first time, sparking numerous questions.

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“Concerns were raised about whether these international campuses would carry the same brand value as their main campuses, especially if located in cities other than major hubs,” he said.

Questions also arise about government subsidies, the investment required, and the potential impact on the perceived quality of education. The discussion delved into practical considerations such as the faculty's ability to teach in these campuses, the financial viability of the venture, and the need for specialised international offices in Indian institutions, he said.

He added that substantial work is required in the realm of internationalisation in Indian universities.