DHAKA: The annual Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange shows that a record 5,455 Bangladeshis studied on US university campuses over the course of the 2014-2015 school year.

That total is more than double the number of Bangladeshi students in 2009-2010 (2,619 students) after four consecutive years of growth (including 13.6 percent growth in 2014-2015), a press release said on Thursday.

“This record number of Bangladeshi students is a story of brain gain,” US ambassador Marcia Bernicat said.

"When I visit universities across Bangladesh, I can see the positive influence and impact of US University alumni. Millions of students in Bangladesh benefit from the knowledge their lecturers, professors, and vice-chancellors bring back from the United States."

According to the release, the US remains the most popular destination for internationally mobile students, coming ever so close to the one million mark at 974,926 students in 2014-2015 with 10 percent growth from the year prior.

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

US embassy in Dhaka supports Bangladeshi students interested in studying in the United States through EducationUSA, the official source on US Higher Education.

Advisers are located at the American Center Dhaka (Baridhara), the Edward M. Kennedy Center (EMK) for Public Service and the Arts (Dhanmondi), and the newly-opened Student Advising Space at the American Corner Chittagong (Chittagong Independent University).

Advisers also carry out virtual advising through video chats with American Corner libraries in Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet.

EducationUSA Bangladesh’s Facebook page went live in August 2015 and has already attracted 60,000 followers.

Surging past the 5,000 student barrier makes Bangladesh the third largest sending country in south and central Asia behind India (132,888) and Nepal (8,158).

BDST: 2104 HRS, Nov 19, 2015
RR/SMS