Secretary Antony Blinken to Highlight Value of International Education at the Department’s 12th Annual Education USA Forum

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will highlight the value of international education to U.S. diplomacy, national security, economic prosperity, and U.S. leadership in research and innovation via pre-recorded video remarks at the 12th annual EducationUSA Forum on Monday, July 26, at 10 a.m. U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona will also address the Forum to highlight the Department of Education’s commitment to a renewed focus on the benefits of international education at home and abroad.

International students, numbering over a million for the fifth consecutive year in 2019-2020, contributed over $39 billion to the U.S. economy in 2020, and supported an estimated 415,000 U.S. jobs. With more than 4,000 U.S. colleges and universities, the United States offers international students world-class academic opportunities. In turn, international students enrich American classrooms and communities with diverse perspectives and develop ties with their American peers. These ties form the basis of continued American success in business and trade, science and innovation, and governmental relations.

Held virtually from July 26-30, the 2021 EducationUSA Forum will convene more than 2,000 international education professionals from accredited U.S. colleges and universities to explore best practices and strategies for maintaining and growing the United States as the top study destination for international students from around the globe. The 2021 EducationUSA Forum will feature over 30 virtual conference sessions on issues such as global student mobility trends, student recruitment strategies, best practices in diversifying the international student pipeline, and practical updates for virtual programming during COVID-19. At the Forum, the first in a new series of global marketing assets promoting study in the United States will be also be released.

EducationUSA is the U.S. Department of State’s global network of international student advising centers operating in more than 175 countries and territories to highlight U.S. higher education opportunities to students around the world. The network supports the Department’s mission to promote U.S. higher education and exchanges to international students to create and sustain mutual understanding with other countries, which is necessary in advancing U.S. foreign policy goals.