The number of Emiratis pursuing higher education in the US has increased by 13.2 percent, according to a new report.

According to Open Doors 2011, the annual US report on international academic mobility published by the Institute of International Education (IIE), the number of Emirati students enrolled in US institutions of higher education in the 2010/11 academic year grew from 1,653 to 1,871.

The report, which was published with support from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State, also stated that the total number of international students at colleges and universities in the US increased by five per cent, to 723,277 during the same period, representing a record number of international students in the US.

The Open Doors 2011 report was released by EducationUSA ahead of its participation at Najah Education, Training and Careers Fair, taking place from October 16-18 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. 

Supported by the US Department of State, EducationUSA will showcase 20 US universities within a dedicated American pavilion at the three-day exhibition.

With two advising centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, EducationUSA offers free advice and counseling services for UAE students interested in studying in American colleges and universities.

Robert Arbuckle, counselor for press and cultural affairs at the US Embassy, said: “EducationUSA is dedicated to helping students across the Emirates find the right US college or university for their needs.  With more than 4,000 accredited institutions of higher learning in the US, we are confident that every student who is eager to succeed can find one that is the perfect fit.”

“To that end, Najah Education, Training and Careers Fair is a crucial platform for us to provide interested Emirati students and their families with accurate and reliable information regarding opportunities to study in the United States and the steps involved in that process.

The US currently has 20.4 million students enrolled in higher education, with women representing 57.1 per cent of those students.

Meanwhile, Najah 2012 will host a record number of universities and training institutes in 2012, as it gets set to host 104 local and international organisations offering more than 500 programmes and courses.

Najah is sponsored by the Presidential Guard as Diamond Sponsor, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha), and Berkley Middle East and is supported by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Abu Dhabi Education Council, and the Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP).

The three-day event returns with the popular psychometric assessment centre, along with the advice clinic where visitors will receive one-on-one counselling on education and careers options by qualified Emirati career counsellors. – TradeArabia News Service