Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

`More Americans should study in India'

Staff Reporter

India is one of top 10 world destinations for higher education

ACHIEVERS: The Consul General of United States in Chennai, David T. Hopper (second right), with the student graduating with highest marks, M. Ponnidevi (third right), and the overall best student, Nithya Doraiswamy (second left), at the first convoca tion of the joint MBA programme of the PSG Institute of Advanced Studies and University of Toledo, Ohio, the USA, in Coimbatore on Saturday. — Photo: K. Ananthan

COIMBATORE: This year India has entered the list of the top 10 world destinations for higher education, but the actual number of American students studying in India - 1,600 - is too small.

"We need to do more to encourage Americans to come for study here," David T. Hopper, United States Consul General, Chennai, said here on Saturday.

"I am very pleased to note that India is growing in popularity as a destination for American students," Mr. Hopper said at the PSG Institute of Management.

He was speaking at the first annual convocation of MBA candidates of the PSG Institute of Advanced Studies and University of Toledo, Ohio, U.S.

Mr. Hopper said that 76,503 Indian students were currently studying in U.S. colleges and universities, making them the single largest foreign group there (13.5 per cent).

Indian students also occupied the first or second positions in the masters, doctoral and research institutions. "We have increased student visas by 30 per cent this year for Indians aspiring to study in the US," he said.

"Well-educated Indians are in the vanguard of the U.S. economy and have made important contributions in numerous fields. Indian Americans are the fastest-growing Asian community in the U.S. and are expected to increase to 45 lakh in 2010. This shows that education has played, and continues to play, a huge role in Indo-US relationship," the Consul General remarked.

"India is receiving a great deal of attention in America in the face of globalisation. U.S. companies are busy in India. Motorola, Hewlett Packard, GE, Dell, Flowserve, Ford, General Motors, Microsoft and IBM are active here. Much of the activity is found in South India, and more of it is taking place in tier-2 cities like Coimbatore."

He also mentioned that Indian companies were busy in the U.S. providing services, products and investment.

Martin Abraham, Dean, College of Graduate Studies, University of Toledo, handed over degree certificates to 31 candidates. Chairman, Governing Council G. Rangaswamy presided.

Director, PSG Institute of Management R. Nandagopal and T.S. Ragu-Nathan, Chair, Information Operations Technology Management Department, University of Toledo, Ohio, U.S., spoke.

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