The U.S Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs has said the country was willing to admit more Nigerian students to its over 1000 community colleges.

Mr. Mathew Washburn, Programme Officer, EducationUSA, U.S. Department of State, said this at the Foreign Press Centre International Reporting Tour of the U.S. Community Colleges and Workforce Development programme in Washington D.C.

The tour was organised by the Foreign Press Centre, Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State to provide foreign journalists with information on opportunity available to foreign students in community college in U.S.

Washburn explained that Community colleges are two-year schools that provide affordable post-secondary education and are often a path to a four-year degree.

The schools are not well known internationally, they offer amazing opportunity in education and training.

He said that the United States was committed to expanding job-driven training at community colleges nationwide.

The official of the U.S. Department of State said it was imperative for young Nigerians to take advantage of the many educational development options that community colleges were currently offering.

“EducationUSA is committed to supporting the increasing number of African students who are interested in studying in the United States.’’

He said that opportunity awaits foreign students, including Nigerians, to come to study in the accredited educational Colleges that are really waiting to admit them.

He said that U.S was equipping the next generation of world leaders with the tools they needed to build stable economic, promote democracy and the rule of law, and create positive social change in their communities for a safely, more prosperous world.

He said U.S. higher institutions were consistently ranked among the top in the world as they provide quality education for student.

According to him, EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 425 international students advising centres in more than 175 countries. including Nigeria.

John Dyer, Director Workforce and Economic Development, American Association of Community College, (AACC) explained that community colleges had a wide range of faculty choices, along with a good quality of education and a world-class recognition for students.

He said that community colleges offered two-year schools that provide affordable post-secondary education and are often a path to a four-year degree.

The director explained that U.S. was committed to expanding job-driven training at community colleges nationwide.

Community colleges offer programs to help student transition to a four-year college or university

“Community colleges are often a more affordable option. Tuition and fees at community colleges are considerably less expensive when compared to a four-year college or university.

“Through a program called Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT), community colleges receive special funding to increase their job-driven training programs for students.

“Some community colleges have industry partnerships. As a result of TAACCCT, many community colleges offer training programs to prepare students for the workforce.

“Remember, you must have permission to work in the United States,”said the official.”

Nigeria currently ranked the top with the highest number of students from Africa studying in the U.S, Rachel Canty, Deputy Director, Student and Exchange Visitor Programme, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said.

He spoke at the Foreign Press Centre International Reporting Tour: U.S. Community Colleges and Workforce Development, programme in Washington D.C, Canty said Nigeria has 16,039 students in the U.S.

“Nigeria has continued to retain its top ranking as the number one source of African students studying in the U. S. with over 16000 students as at March pursuing their educational goals