Exporting U.S. Education to Colombia
Educational services comprise a new and exciting export sector for American businesses. Despite growing competition from the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Canada and Chile, the U.S. remains the leading destination for Colombians studying abroad. Attracted by the quality of education, the opportunity to improve English skills, the abundance of specialized programs and improved employment prospects with U.S. or multinational corporations, Colombians are pursuing degrees in the U.S. in ever greater numbers. According to the Institute of International Education, Colombia ranks 13th in the world on the list of top countries generating students to the United States and second among South American countries after Brazil. Over 7,400 Colombian students accessed U. S. educational institutions (undergraduate, graduate, training, and English as a Second Language programs) during academic year 2005-2006
For a Colombian student or professional the United States remains the first choice when considering study abroad, followed by Canada, Australia, Spain and the United Kingdom. The preferred host states for Colombian students are California, Florida, New York, Texas, Illinois and Massachusetts.
According to the Colombian Ministry of Education in 2005, 36.6 percent of the Colombian population had completed primary education, 32.6 percent finished the high school or equivalent technical education level, 7.5 percent had a college degree, and only 1.4 percent had obtained a Master or PHD degree.
Currently, the coverage of the basic education system in Colombia is 88%. A report published by the Colombian Ministry of Education in 2005 revealed that 36.6 percent of the Colombian population had completed primary education, 32.6 percent finished the high school or equivalent technical education levels, 7.5 percent had a college degree, and only 1.4 percent had obtained a Master or PHD degree.
The number of Colombian students attending Colombian universities in 2005 was 1.2 million approximately, of which an estimated 48.5 attend public universities and 51.5% go to private universities. Colombian universities offer approximately 300 graduate programs, most of them within the engineering.
Given the demands of modern day society, the number of undergraduate and graduate Colombians in the United States is increasing slowly. Colombians know it is difficult to move in a high executive position within the government or important national or multinational companies without good English skills and/or a Masters Degree. Most demanded field of studies are those focused on business administration, management, finance, banking, marketing, and engineering.
Under government-to-government or private agreements, both public and private universities in Colombia have developed programs with universities in the United States, Europe and Latin America. Priority is given to projects that foster post-graduate programs for training professors as well as research to enhance teaching.
Most scholarships are awarded through two institutions: the Colombian Institute for Educational Loans and Technical Studies Abroad (ICETEX). This organization is dedicated to finance higher education through the system of payback financial aid that allows students to start or continue their higher education either in country or abroad. COLFUTURO is a non-profit organization that provides funds to Colombian professionals/students to study abroad. Their loan program is available to students who have been accepted in graduate, master or PHD program in important foreign universities. During year 2005 COLFUTURO awarded 121 scholarships: 101 for Master programs and 20 for PHD. COLFUTURO also has agreements with many important universities such as: Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Georgetown, New York University, University of Texas, Cornell, University of London, Stanford, Oxford, John Hopkins, Cambridge etc.
Not only can a greater number of Colombian students now afford to study in the U.S., but newly created employment opportunities in Colombia also make American degrees even more valuable. The ratification of the US-CTPA will become another driving force behind increased Colombian enrollment at American academic institutions in the foreseeable future. One has to look no further than Chile for proof; in the year following the signing of the Chile FTA, the country witnessed a 104% increase in the number of students studying in the U.S.
Beyond the economic implications, the availability of educational services carries even greater significance in terms of improving general living conditions in Colombia. A well-educated Colombian population will be vital to the country’s economic growth and global competitiveness over the long term. U.S. educational services will also expose more Colombian to American culture, further strengthening ties between the two countries.
The U.S. Commercial Service in Bogotá offers a number of services specially designed to benefit U.S. schools with good academic level, but unknown in Colombia. Services include, Trade Missions, Gold Key Service (allows U.S. firm to have a schedule of appointments with potential agents, educations institutions and students prior to arrival); and Single Company Promotions.
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