First-time enrollment of international graduate students in the Engineering School has risen four percent above the 2005-06 academic year level. This increase reflects a nationwide trend, according to a study released Wednesday by the National Science Foundation.
The increase may be the first indicator of percentages climbing back to their pre-Sept. 11 levels, said George Stovall, director of the University's Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies.
The University saw a drop in the number of applications from international students after Sept. 11 because of changes in immigration policy, according to Kathryn Thornton, associate dean for graduate programs in engineering.
"We have definitely seen more applications from foreign students this year than last, but it still hasn't reached the level before 9/11," Thornton said.
Thornton said while immigration restrictions have not changed, students may have become accustomed to them.
Institutional Assessment and Studies statistics state that 53 percent of enrolled first-year Engineering graduate students were temporary visa holders in the fall of 2001. With last year's 4 percent increase, enrollment of first-time international graduate students is now at 36 percent of the class, the closest it has been to pre-Sept. 11 levels since 2002.
Richard Tansen, senior International Student and Scholar Advisor, said the most recent rise in foreign enrollment "is due to deliberate efforts on the part of government agencies, like the State Department and immigration officials, to liberalize the process to make it more friendly to students and scholars who are genuine and genuinely qualified to be in the United States."
Engineering and computer science programs draw the largest numbers of graduate students to the United States, according to the NSF report. This trend is evident at the University, where electrical engineering and computer science programs have the most international graduate students.
"Science is an international activity, and foreign students that come to us are both an important connection from us to the rest of world and a source of talent," NSF senior analyst Mark Regets said. "Many of the students do significant research in the U.S. while in graduate school and many stay to work in the U.S. after graduation."
Read More
Was Ryan ‘anti-Jeffersonian?’ Historians weigh in after his resignation
By Brendon Bordwine | YesterdayWhile the Jefferson Council argues that Ryan violated the University's founding mission, historians suggest that even Jefferson’s own views were far from consistent.
Student Council passes resolution to uphold student voices during presidential search
By Lauren Seeliger | 2 days agoThe resolution requests that five students be included on the search committee, and that the Board of Visitors provides key updates to the student body throughout the search process.
Senior VP for Operations Colette Sheehy looks back at her career at the University
By Brandon Kile | 4 days agoSheehy’s role involved overseeing the work of around 2,500 University employees, including custodians, architects and engineers.
