US to take 20,000 students each year

US to take 20,000 students each year*

This is good news, but the concerned authorities need to keep a watch against dubious consultants who may be out to make a quick buck at the expense of the aspiring students

Dr. Uttam Kumar Das writes from Minneapolis, USA


I wrote a column in the PROBE News Magazine in November last year exploring prospects of huge number of people’s immigration to the United States from Bangladesh. For its own national and economic needs and interests, the US needs migrant workers and immigrant population. At the same time, it will also look into whom to take in and whom not to, given its related laws and public policies, public opinions, security and other concerns.

Though immigration is normally a federal matter, there may be differences in terms of policy and public opinion from one state to another. Therefore, to succeed in supplying both migrant workers and immigrant populations, the sending countries need to strategize its steps to meet the demand.

In this backdrop, the visiting US Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Policy Ms. Judith A McHale announced in Dhaka recently that her country would take 20,000 students each year from Bangladesh for higher studies. This is indeed good news for Bangladesh and for students who are looking for an opportunity for a standard overseas degree and professional development.

However, a mere announcement is not enough. It is important for the government of Bangladesh to monitor and ensure that the announced number of students are getting the opportunity each year, and negotiate to expand opportunities for scholarships and other financial support form the US government and other sources so that the meritorious students from comparatively non-solvent families could avail this chance. Also, there is a need to press for expanding the number in the years to come, given the requirements of our young generation.

At the same time, another issue comes to forefront -- to standardize the education (i.e. at a school, college and university level) as well as language skills so that our students could compete with their counterparts from other nations. No malpractice should mar this opportunity.

Studentship is one of the prospective ways to enter the US, which may give rise to future opportunities for an individual to adjust his status into a Legally Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or naturalization and get citizenship in the US, given the skill and interest of the individuals and necessity of the host country and government.

That does not mean that those who will be going for higher studies would settle in the US in future. The government of Bangladesh has to create an environment and infrastructure so that the students come back to home, armed with their new degrees, knowledge and expertise and can use those for the development and benefit of the country. This is what India and China have now started to implement.

US academic institutions have a sound reputation for standard and quality education. There are exceptions, of course, and students have to be careful about that. There is ample opportunity for foreign and international students for higher studies and research scholarships and funding, apart from self-funding ones.

Higher education is also a significant source of revenue for the US exchequer. During the 2008-2009 academic year the country earned about US$ 18 billion from the foreign and international students’ tuition and other fees.

The Washington DC-based Institute of International Education (IIE) projected that during 2008-2009 session, 671,000 international students came to the US. India tops the list with 103,000 students while China sent 98,500.

The area of higher studies and research is wide; curriculums are modern and practical, and renowned institutes have globally acclaimed academics and researchers.

Given my present affiliation, the University Of Minnesota Law School offers diverse ranges of specializations in different branches of law like business and trade, labor and employment, family matters, immigration, and human rights. At the same time, there is opportunity for dual degrees in public policy, business management, media, and health and ethics alongside a law degree.

It is encouraging to hear that the US is going to take a huge number of students for higher studies from Bangladesh yearly. At the same time, it is a matter of concern as well.

Considering the reality in Bangladesh, there may be a mushrooming of so-called advisory and consulting companies. They may give attractive advertisements on TV and in the newspapers.

Given my experiences, working in the migration area and coming to the US with a Fulbright Scholarship, I could say that those so-called consultants do nothing but fill their own pockets with money from aspiring students and their guardians. Therefore, the prospective students and their guardians need to be cautious about any malpractice. They should inquire about an institution through internet or the public affairs section of the US Embassy in Dhaka and contact accordingly.

The respective agencies of the Bangladesh government, the US Embassy, and the American Center in Dhaka need to take special measures to prevent any malpractice. Alongside the websites, national, regional and local newspapers would be effective instruments to disseminate related information. Also, notice boards at academic institutes and government offices at district and divisional levels could be used for disseminating information.

If needed the respective laws and policies need to be amended and their effective implementation would enable the Bangladesh government to prevent and prosecute any emerging malpractice with regard to students’ immigration to the US.

Dr. Uttam Kumar Das is an Advocate in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, presently affiliated as a Humphrey Fellow (Fulbright Scholar) with the Human Rights Center and Law School at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He is a specialist in Human Rights. E-mail: udas1971@yahoo.com, udas1971@yahoo.com

*Originally appeared in PROBE News Magazine (Dhaka, Bangladesh), Feb 19-Mar 4, 2010; link: http://www.probenewsmagazine.com/index.php?index=2&contentId=5844