Texas A&M is ranked 17th nationally in number of international students enrolled for the 2007-2008 academic year, according to the “Open Doors” report published annually by the Institute of International Education (IIE) with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The number of students enrolling in U.S. universities, including Texas A&M, increased by 7 percent to a record high of 623,805 in the 2007/08 academic year. At Texas A&M, a record 4,484 international students enrolled for fall 2008, an increase of 399 from fall 2007.

Texas A&M president Elsa Murano said in her academic convocation speech in September that globalization is one of her goals for the university.

“The enrollment of students from 129 countries helps to encourage our students to develop skills in another culture, to collaborate with colleagues from other countries,” Murano said, “and to feel more at home with people of different backgrounds and life experiences.”

According to Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Goli Ameri, in today’s competitive international environment, the increase in enrollments noted in this year’s “ Open Doors” data demonstrates again that the U.S. remains the premier destination for international students. Texas benefits greatly from this influx of students, who make a significant impact on the economy. IIE estimates that in the 2006-2007 academic year, the net contribution by foreign students and their families to the Texas economy was $995.4 million. The impact in Bryan and College Station was more than $47 million.

Robert C. Webb, interim dean of the Office of Graduate Studies, said most international students at Texas A&M are studying in master’s and doctoral programs.

“These students find themselves working on a variety of frontier research activities and contributing to the development of new knowledge in these areas” Webb said. “Our graduate students, both domestic and international, contribute directly to these new discoveries and are recognized world-wide as the future leaders in their disciplines.”

Webb cited the work of Tracey Wellington as an example. Originally from Jamaica, Wellington, in conjunction with Winfried Teizer of the physics department, is developing a new type of magnetic material using nanotechnology. These nanomagnets are useful in developing a new class of magnetic measuring devices that can probe the scale of single atoms.

Texas A&M, along with the nation and the rest of the world, is celebrating International Education Week Nov. 17-21. This program developed by the Department of State is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. A joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, it is part of efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States.

Suzanne Droleskey, executive director of international programs for students at Texas A&M, said the week culminates with the Brazos Valley Worldfest, where many of Texas A&M’s international students are representing their countries with culture booths, food, dance and music.

“This is a opportune time to meet and get to know many of our over 4,400 international students and many other international faculty, scholars and families in our community,” Droleskey said. “We have a wealth of diversity and culture in the Brazos Valley and we should take advantage of it.”

For more information about International Education Week, visit http://iew.state.gov/ and to learn more about the Brazos Valley Worldfest, visit http://brazosvalleyworldfest.org .

Contact: Suzanne Droleskey Phone: 979-458-3575