City University of Seattle President Travels to India as Part of U.S. Higher Education Delegation

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Lee Gorsuch, president of City University of Seattle, is taking part in a delegation of U.S. higher education leaders to India led by Dr. Allan E. Goodman, President and CEO of the Institute of International Education (IIE), and Under Secretary of Education Dr. Martha Kanter to promote U.S. higher education and to enhance and expand linkages with institutions in India. The weeklong visit takes place from February 28 to March 6.

In addition to Gorsuch, presidents and senior officials from the following colleges and universities will participate in the delegation: Bryn Mawr College, Case Western Reserve University, Chatham University, Lehigh University, Louisiana Community and Technical College, Miami Dade College, Michigan State University, New York Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rollins College, University of Kentucky, and Washburn University.

Since 2001/2002, India has been the leading place of origin of international students in the United States, representing slightly more than 15 percent of the total international student population in the United States, according to IIE’s annual Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, which is supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State. In 2008/2009, there were more than 103,000 international students from India studying in the United States, an increase of nine percent from the previous year.

The number of students from the United States studying abroad in India has also increased rapidly in recent years, although from a much smaller base. In the 2007/2008 academic year, more than 3,000 students from U.S. colleges and universities received credit for study abroad in India, an increase of almost 20 percent over the previous year.

While CityU of Seattle doesn’t currently offer programs in India, a number of Indian students come to the U.S. to study at the university. CityU President Lee Gorsuch comments, “India is home to 15 percent of the world’s population. Its economy is developing at an impressive rate, increasing the demand for educated workers. The Indian government has expressed an interest in inviting U.S. and other foreign universities to help meet this demand. CityU, with its breadth of international experience, is well positioned to contribute to India’s growing knowledge economy.” CityU of Seattle currently offers programs at 27 sites in 11 countries.

About City University of Seattle

Founded in 1973 in Seattle, Washington, City University of Seattle is a private, not-for-profit university that has awarded over 45,000 degrees and certificates worldwide. City University of Seattle’s goal is to change lives for good by offering high quality and relevant online and in-class education options to any person in the world with a desire to learn. The university is comprised of The School of Management, The Gordon Albright School of Education, and The Division of Arts and Sciences. Headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, City University of Seattle offers classes at locations throughout Washington, Hawaii, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Slovakia, Greece, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania, the Czech Republic, and China.

About The Institute of International Education

The Institute of International Education (www.iie.org) is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1919, IIE has network of over 20 offices worldwide and over 1,000 member institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporations. IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad.

The Institute of International Education has been engaged with higher education in India for over 50 years and has had an office in New Delhi since 2005. IIE India works closely with businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations in the region, and has developed and implemented a strong set of activities in higher education scholarship administration, leadership development, and critical development fields, including energy.