The US State Department’s recent report, developed in collaboration with the Institute of International Education (IIE), highlights a significant 16% increase in the number of Pakistani students enrolling in American universities for the 2022-23 academic year.
The annual Open Doors Report noted an increase from 8,772 students the previous year to 10,164.
The report emphasizes the United States’ status as the premier destination for international education during the 2022-2023 academic year. A noteworthy aspect of this trend is the record-breaking number of over one million international students (1,057,188) hosted by the US, marking a 12% rise from the last academic year and the highest growth rate in over 40 years.
Pakistan’s Position and Future Prospects
Pakistan ranks among the top eight countries with a substantial increase in students pursuing education in the US. Ambassador Masood Khan of Pakistan to the United States welcomed this growth, hoping to double these numbers in the next three years. He acknowledged the Biden administration’s support in the education sector and emphasized the importance of Pakistani students in various US institutes for strengthening Pak-US relations. Khan also highlighted the focus on enhancing opportunities for Pakistani students in STEM fields to leverage US expertise and knowledge.