A report released last Monday by the Association of International Educators makes a compelling case for the U.S. to give priority to attracting more international students and scholars to America’s campuses. It advocates a comprehensive U.S. strategy “both in word and in deed” to make the country a more attractive destination for the next generation of world leaders.
Having just returned from Europe and Canada, I agree with the report and share its concern that while other countries are “aggressively using international education, to advance their economies and foreign policy,” we are lagging far behind in this competition. A few years ago, the U.S. was a magnet for international students. I met several students and scholars during my recent visits abroad who had opted for other countries because they did not consider the procedures of visa application, interview and security clearance for gaining entry into the U.S. worth the trouble.
Dr. Goverdhan Mehta, a world-renowned scientist from India who was invited to lecture at a conference at the University of Florida (where he had previously been a distinguished visitor), was denied a visa last February. The visa authorities relented, but Dr. Mehta declined the invitation in protest of the demeaning treatment he had received.
And he is not alone in feeling unwelcome.
We certainly overreacted to the tragic events of Sept. 11 by making the visa system too rigid and putting up unnecessary barriers for those we want to welcome. The system should facilitate, not hinder, the visits of scientists, scholars and students.
Our competitors, on the other hand, are adopting strategies for capturing a greater share of the international student market. Last April, British Prime Minister Tony Blair authored an op-ed article titled “Why We’re Putting Up Millions to Attract More Students from Overseas,” announcing a new initiative to increase international student enrollments by 100,000 over the next five years.
Many European countries now offer university degrees in English. Australia and New Zealand are traditionally known to warmly welcome international students. Singapore, Dubai and Doha have now emerged as education centers to serve regional markets. Meanwhile, the two countries that have in the past sent 25 percent of all international students in the U.S., China and India are working hard to enhance the quality of their universities in order to keep more of their students at home.
International students and scholars enrich our institutions by providing a broader perspective to our own students. These visitors usually return home with an appreciation for the U.S. and lasting friendships with Americans. This process promotes U.S. foreign policy and adds to our security and global leadership. A number of world leaders, including U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, are former Fulbright scholars and alumni of our universities. Several of my former Yale classmates went on to become supreme court judges and ministers of justice in their home countries.
International students, scholars and their dependents also contribute significantly to the country’s economy – $13.3 billion for the academic year 2004-2005, according to a recent study.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is no stranger to higher education. As a former provost at Stanford, she knows the importance of competing for international talent. Thus, to her credit, the Department of State has recently taken several initiatives to make the student visa process less burdensome. However, much more needs to be done to restore the United States’ competitiveness in this area.
Suggestions include policy coordination between the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security with respect to visa policy and collaboration among the Departments of State, Commerce, Education, and Homeland Security to make it easier for international students and scholars to enter and live in the United States.
We need to create a truly welcoming climate so that U.S. higher education, which continues to be the envy of the rest of the world for its richness, also remains the preferred destination for international talent.
Ved P. Nanda (vnanda@law.du.edu) is Evans University Professor, Marsh Professor of Law, and director of the International Legal Studies Program at the University of Denver.
