US universities need more African students

olamide oni

March 14, 2016 1:09 PM

“They [African students] should consider studying in the U.S because of the innovative approach to education that we take in the United States"

US needs more African students

Universities in the United states are reportedly looking to admit more students from the sub-Saharan Africa.

According to VOA, there were about 1 million international students studying at U.S. colleges and universities during the 2014 to 2015 academic year. Fewer than 3 percent of those international students came from sub-Saharan Africa.

The US government want to seek solutions to the challenges of studying in their country.

US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis, Marcus Jadotte, is reportedly leading the first educational trade mission to Africa this week.

“They [African students] should consider studying in the U.S because of the innovative approach to education that we take in the United States, because international businesses are looking for the best-qualified, best prepared prospective employees and we certainly believe that it enriches education back home in the U.S.," Jadotte said.

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He also said he will be traveling with representatives of 25 U.S. colleges and universities with the aim of building relationships with African universities.

"Many of the universities who have traveled with us on this mission are including scholarships as a part of the conversation with students here," Jadotte explained.

The delegation's first fair was in South Africa. Jadotte spoke about the academic support services and technology offered by America’s world-class universities. His message attracted a long line of South African high school students.

Boneng Mofokeng says he is hoping to go to law school at Michigan State University.

“I want to see the world and our country’s economy is not good. Maybe I can have a better life over there," he said.

Jadotte says it is not just the African students who benefit from studying in the United States. The American host institutions also benefit from the increased diversity. He says Africa offers “a number of opportunities for U.S. institutions seeking to globalize their campuses."

From South Africa, the delegation will head to Ivory Coast and Ghana.

olamide oni