Policy Implications of International Graduate Students and Postdocs in the United States

Summary: Starting in Summer 2004, the study committee will undertake a broad examination of the current status and role of international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in the US. The committee will answer the following questions: What is known about the impact of international graduate students and postdocs on science, institutions, economies, national security, and international relations? What is the impact of the US academic system on international students and postdocs on their intellectual development, careers, and perceptions of the US? How do these impacts differ when they stay in the US or return to their home country? What is known about the impact of international student enrollment on the recruitment of domestic science and engineerging talent? What is the status of working conditions for international students and postdocs compared to their domestic counterparts? What are the impacts of various policies that affect the flow of international students and postdoctoral scholars? What principles should guide national policy regarding international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars?