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A year ago the Obama administration promised that higher education exchanges will be increased with Indonesia and now the United States is repeating its policy of cultural diplomacy. As a part of this, the administration is looking to double the total number of students from Indonesia who are studying in the US.

According to the officials this is a solution that will boost the US economy and also help in improving relation with this Muslim majority country which is developing at a fast pace. The education fair at Sampoerna building was visited by a large number of students, where the recruiters from over fifty American Universities provided information regarding entrance needs, tuition and the programs offered.

In June last year, $165 million was allocated by the US administration over the next five years for supporting the programs of student exchange and university partnerships in subjects like business, information technology and agriculture. Scholarship program Fulbright’s science arm will get $15 million. On the other hand, programs of language training for both Indonesians and Americans will be supported by micro-scholarships.

The US administration is trying to reach out to the fast developing economies such as Indonesia as the new markets for the American services and goods. Last year, about $ 19 billion has been injected by the foreign into the American economy. The huge population as well as the growing middle class in Indonesia can create new opportunities for the universities in the US.

The administration also said that the US will also send more number of students to Indonesia to improve the understanding between the two nations. Scot Marciel, the American ambassador in Indonesia said that this will lead to a better relation. However Marciel said that more homework is required to attract the Indonesian students to the American institutions. According to him a better marketing of the US universities is needed. He added that most of the applicants in Indonesia receive visas for studying in the US but still many people in the Muslim majority nations feel that they are unwelcome.

Since the year 1998 there has been a steady fall in the number of Indonesian students in the US universities. This happened when several families became unable to send their children because of the Asian Financial Crisis. The numbers decreased more due to the visa problems. Last year less than 7000 students from Indonesia studied in the universities in United States. This was down by nearly 8 % from the year 2009. With improved and cheaper universities the students are going for other options. Many of them are now studying in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. However the US still have many of the most prestigious institutions in the world. They offer invaluable life experience along with strong academics.

Management is a popular subject among the Indonesian students. English and science are also studied by many. Mohammad Nur, the education minister, said that this education exchange program is a part of improved diplomacy which will develop the bilateral friendship between the two countries.