U.S. University Alumni Fairs

President Obama has called the U.S.-India relationship one of the “defining partnerships of the 21st century.” In order to fulfill this vision, we must facilitate greater exchanges between our two countries, and one way to do so is through academic studies. Currently, Indian students account for the second-largest group of foreign students in the United States. India had been the leading place of origin for international students in the United States for eight years from 2001-02 through 2008-09, but has since been overtaken by China. The number of Indian students in the United States rose by 6.1% in 2013-14 after 3 consecutive years of decline, and has now risen back up above 100,000 students per year. Indian students that pursue their academic goals in the United States advance innovation, collaborative research, and business opportunities for both our countries by partnering with their American counterparts. Partnerships between Indians and their American counterparts produce advances in science, business, health, agriculture, and other important sectors. In order to attract students from western India to U.S. higher education institutions, we propose two U.S. University Alumni Fairs. Indian alumni have unique voices and perspectives to share with prospective students that make them effective in promoting U.S. academic institutions. The fairs should take place in Ahmedabad and another city in western India (other than Mumbai). The fairs will feature Indian alumni of U.S. universities, testing bodies, Indian parents who have sent their children to study in the U.S., and some university recruiters. These individuals will staff information booths, and there will be panel presentations that cover the basics of education financing options, how study in the United States leads to success in India, and demystifying the student visa process. The fairs will be day-long events and should be able to accommodate approximately 800 people each.