KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 — The United States (US) has seen a 5.3 per cent increase in the number of Malaysian students enrolled at its colleges and universities during the 2016/2017 academic year. The 2017 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange said the number of Malaysian students has risen to 8,247 this year.
Its Ambassador to Malaysia, Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir said this solid growth confirms that the US remains as the destination of choice for higher education.
“The United States offers international students a welcoming and stimulating multicultural environment, both in the classroom and in the broader community.
“Other advantages include numerous research opportunities and the responsiveness, innovation and flexibility of an educational system that allows for cross-disciplinary academic work and encourages independent thinking and analysis,” she said in a statement today.
Malaysia is the 21st leading country of origin that has students pursuing tertiary education in the US.
Of the Malaysian students in the US, 67.7 per cent enrolled at undergraduate level, 15.4 per cent at graduate level, 2.7 per cent in non-degree programmes, while 14.3 per cent in optional practical training.
“For the past nine years, Malaysian students enrolment in the US has increased steadily with enrolment numbers growing rapidly in the past three years,” said the statement.
This year, Malaysia saw a significant increase in student’s enrolment in non-degree programmes in the US with 68.7 per cent growth in that educational category, while 18.3 per cent increase in the number of Malaysian students pursuing optional practical training.
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
