An education fair of American colleges and universities held on Saturday attracted over 2,000 students and parents. Students began arriving early in the morning to the Education USA Fair held in Lazimpat-based Hotel Radisson.

 Nepalis form the 16th largest group of foreign students in the US, according to the US Embassy in Nepal. Over 8,000 Nepali students are studying in various

universities and colleges in the US.

Tristram Perry, public affairs officer at the US Embassy, said that the main objective of the fair was to provide the students with an opportunity to study in the US. “We look forward to see more Lujendra Ojhas in future,” he said. A team of scientists led by Ojha, who hails from Western Nepal, discovered flowing water on Mars, increasing the chances of finding life on the Red Planet.

“Better the students, the more money is available for them,” Perry said referring to availability of scholarships for deserving students.

Visitors were keen to learn about the American education system, admission criteria and scholarship prospect for higher studies. Thirteen reputed universities and colleges from the US participated in the one-day event. Students and parents were able to directly interact with the college and university admission representatives and to gather first hand information about different academic programmes and scholarship prospects.

“We are liberal arts college where students can decide their major only after finding out what their interests are,” said Haroon Jamshed, International Admissions Counselor at Marywood University. “We also offer scholarships for students with good grades.”

Students were also able to learn about student visas for the US. Administrated by Education USA Advising Centers with the support of the US Department of State, the fair is part of the Seventh Education USA South Asia Tour 2015.

“It was really fruitful to have direct interaction with college representatives,” said Suvekhshya Pant, a higher school graduate who wants to pursue international economics in the US. “We rarely get such opportunities in other education fairs.”