KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 — The United States (US) has seen a six per cent increase in the number of Malaysian students enrolled at its colleges and universities during the 2015 academic year.

According to the 2015 Open Doors Report on International Exchange, the number of Malaysian students has increased to 7,231 this year.

United States ambassador to Malaysia, Joseph Y. Yun, said he was excited and pleased that Malaysians were taking full advantage of the educational opportunities available in the US.

“These exchanges strengthen ties between the United States and Malaysia, enable us to invest in our shared future, and provide a forum to address global challenges,” he said in a statement today.

Malaysia is the 22nd leading country of origin that has students pursuing tertiary education in the US, with China taking the top spot and India close behind.

Of the Malaysian students in the US, 71 per cent enrolled in undergraduate programmes, 16 per cent at the graduate level, while 12 per cent are in optional practical training.

In recent years, the number of students from Malaysia had seen a drop and only by 2008/2009, the percentage started to grow with this year taking the largest leap to six per cent.

The Open Doors report is published annually by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. — Bernama