ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan and Michigan State University are national leaders for attracting international students and sending their own students abroad, according to a new Institute of International Education report.

The IIE’s Open Doors report found Michigan State University ranked second in the nation for sending the most students abroad during 2005-2006, sending 2,558 while the University of Michigan ranked 15th, sending 1,701 students abroad. New York University topped the list with 2,809.

When measuring the number of international students enrolled at American universities in 2006-2007, U-M ranked sixth in the nation, attracting 5,429 international students to the state while MSU ranked 16th, helping the state of Michigan rank eighth among the 50 states for the most international students. The University of Southern California had the largest number of international students: 7,115.

The enrollment reports are based on federally required counts of currently enrolled as well as recently enrolled foreign students continuing academic or other related training in the United States.

This fall, the latest enrollment figures show 11,726 international students are actively enrolled in classes at the University Research Corridor partner institutions of U-M, MSU and Wayne State University. The three research universities typically host about 69 percent of the international students enrolled at Michigan universities.

Skilled immigrants are major job and wealth creators: more than 33 percent of Michigan high tech startup companies were started by foreign-born founders between 1995 and 2005 and most of those immigrants were lured to the state by its research universities, according to a recent Duke University study.

Nationally, the number of international students enrolled in colleges and universities increased by 3 percent to 582,984 in the 2006-07 academic year, according to the report, published annually by the IIE with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Nationally, this marked the first significant increase in total international student enrollments since 2001-2002.

The report also found that U.S. students are studying abroad in record numbers with study abroad programs increasing by 8.5 percent to a total of 223,534. The number of American students receiving academic credit for study abroad has increased 150 percent in the past decade, from fewer than 90,000 students in 1995/96.

“The increase in enrollments we see in this year’s Open Doors statistics reflects the dynamism, diversity and excellence of U.S. higher education institutions in a competitive international environment,” said Karen Hughes, under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs.

IIE President Allan Goodman added: “Given increased global competition for talent, as well as expanded higher education options in many of the leading sending countries, America needs to continue its proactive steps to insure that our academic doors remain wide open, and that students around the world understand that they will be warmly welcomed.”

Wayne State, U-M and Michigan State University formed the University Research Corridor to transform, strengthen and diversify the state’s economy. The universities are working together to leverage their collective assets and encourage collaboration with business, government and communities to help accelerate economic growth.

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 the annual statistical survey of the international students in the United States since 1949, and with support from the U.S. 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 U.S. institutions. A full press kit and further details on the Open Doors 2007 surveys and their findings can be accessed on the Open Doors Web site, www.opendoors.iienetwork.org, and the full 100 page report can be ordered for $49.95 from IIE Books at www.iiebooks.org.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. 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. For more information, visit www.exchanges.state.gov.

Related Links:

• University Research Corridor