Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Institute of International Education’s (IIE) annual report on international academic mobility, the number of students from Uzbekistan enrolled in US institutions of higher education has grown almost every year since 2002, according to Open Doors. Although the total number of Uzbek students in the United States decreased by 42 students last year compared to the previous year (539 in 2007/08 vs. 581 in 2006/07), this was the first decline since 2002. In fact, in 2007 the number of students from Uzbekistan studying in the US rose by 23% compared to 2006, the press release of the US Embassy in Tashkent said.

This year’s Open Doors report shows that the total number of international students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by 7% to a record high of 623,805 in the 2007/08 academic year. The total number now exceeds the previous all-time high of 586,323 reported in 2002/03 by 6%. Open Doors data show an even stronger increase in the number of “new” international students, those enrolled for the first time at a US college or university in fall 2007. New international student enrollments rose by 10%, following on increases of 10% and 8% for the previous two years.

According to Stephanie Fitzmaurice, US Embassy Cultural Attache, “The US remains a top destination for students from Uzbekistan who want to study abroad because of the quality and prestige associated with an American degree.” Another contributing factor is greater access to comprehensive and accurate information about study in the US through the Educational Advising Office at the US Embassy in Uzbekistan, which opened its doors to the public in 2007. To help students, teachers, and young professionals in Uzbekistan learn more about educational opportunities in the United States, the US Embassy is also sponsoring an International Education Fair on November 20 at 16:00 at Tashkent International School. Representatives from many other international organizations will also publicize educational opportunities in their countries at this event.

According to Allan E. Goodman, President and CEO of the New York-based Institute of International Education, “The steady increase in the number of international students in the United States reflects actions taken by the US government and many individual colleges and universities to ensure that international students know they are welcome in the United States, and that we appreciate how they contribute to the intellectual and cultural environment on campus and in the wider community. Furthering academic exchange - in both directions - is one of the best investments that we can make to strengthen higher education and research activities and foster cross-border collaboration on shared global problems such as fighting poverty, protecting the environment, and countering terrorism.”

The Open Doors report is published by the Institute of International Education, the leading not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organization in the United States. IIE has conducted an annual statistical survey of the international students in the United States since 1949, and with support from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since the early 1970s. The census is based on a survey of close to 3,000 accredited US institutions. Open Doors also reports on surveys on international scholars at US universities; international students enrolled in pre-academic Intensive English Programs; and on US students studying abroad (since 1985). A full press kit and further details on the Open Doors 2008 surveys and their findings can be accessed on www.opendoors.iienetwork.org, and the full 104 page report can be ordered for US$59.95 from IIE Books at www.iiebooks.org.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the US Department of State manages a wide range of academic, professional, and cultural exchanges that include approximately 40,000 participants annually, with the goal of increasing mutual understanding and respect between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. ECA manages the EducationUSA network of advising officesfor students around the world who wish to study in the United States.

The EducationUSA advising office in Uzbekistan, or Educational Advising Center (EAC), is located in the US Embassy. It provides up-to-date information on the full spectrum of United States higher education opportunities for citizens of Uzbekistan. In particular, the EAC provides information about degree or non-degree, undergraduate or graduate programs, as well as training or research opportunities in the United States. The EAC also offers the following services free of charge: individual advising in areas of study and course descriptions, test preparation materials for SAT, TOEFL, GRE and GMAT , access to a US college selection database, supporting reference materials, financial aid resources, application guides, and Distance Learning courses.