International enrollment sees rapid growth at UH-Clear Lake

HOUSTON, March 3, 2016 — International enrollment at University of Houston-Clear Lake grew by 30 percent between the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 academic years, earning two distinctions from the Institute of International Education.

The university’s ranking among the “Top 40 Master’s Colleges & Universities Enrolling International Students” jumped to 22 from 35 the previous year, and, for the second year in a row, UH-Clear Lake was included among U.S. universities that enroll more than 1,000 international students. The rankings were announced in the 2015 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange released by the Institution of International Education last fall.

At UHCL, 1,309 international students enrolled during the 2014-2015 academic year, up from 1,007 students the year before.

“Our international students are an asset to the university,” said UHCL President William A. Staples. “Not only do the international students gain access to a world-class education, but local students benefit by exposure to international cultures and ideas.”

Office of International Admissions and Programs Executive Director Sameer Pande said enrollment is a strong indicator of UHCL’s support for international students.

“Our rankings reaffirm that one of the strengths of UHCL is its high-quality education at a competitive price,” he said. “Universities from throughout the country are inviting these students and they are choosing UHCL.”

Pande said his vision is to see the university’s international student population grow, enroll in a wider variety of UHCL programs and hail from even more countries and geographic regions.

While the UHCL Office of International Admissions and Programs plays a vital role in helping international students learn about and apply to UHCL, the office’s orientations, advisers and other resources support students as they transition into the university, navigate life at UHCL and seek employment or additional training after graduation.

“The vision is not only to be an institution that enrolls a lot of international students. It’s to be an institution that graduates successful international students,” he said. “The vision is to make UH-Clear Lake the international destination of choice.”

The Open Doors^® report notes that nationwide international student enrollment grew by 10 percent between the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 academic year, with international students contributing an estimated $30.8 billion to the economy. Texas ranks third for the number of international college students, after California and New York.

UHCL student Akrati Dosi, who came to Texas from India to pursue a Master of Healthcare Administration degree, said she was drawn to the university because of its relationship with the Texas Medical Center.

“The Texas Medical Center was here, and that’s the hub for healthcare administration,” she said.

She wanted to study abroad in order to learn about a diverse culture, and she said she appreciated the wide variety of people she has met at UHCL. After earning her degree and building professional experience in the United States, she plans to return to her home country to open a hospital.

Pande said the university community has played a key role in making students feel welcome.

“UHCL is an excellent destination for international students. A lot of credit goes to the faculty, staff, administrators, students and community. That combination makes this university a very accepting place,” he said.

The Institute of International Education was founded in 1919 to advance education and educational access throughout the world. The 2015 Open Doors report is supported with a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, and the report is designed to provide detailed, accurate data for international students and scholars.

For more information on the UHCL Office of International Admissions and Programs, call 281-283-2740, email oiap@uhcl.edu, or visit http://www.uhcl.edu/international.