Good news on grad students coming to the U.S.

■"Grad Students From Abroad Are Increasing," by Tamar Lewin, New York Times, 7 November 2005, p. A15.

Big sources of grad students in U.S.? All New Core pillars, naturally (India, China, South Korea).

Last year we see the first annual uptick since 9/11, with the largest increase being from the Middle East (and as we know from other sources, more and more of those traveling here are women, because the Muslim men are turned off disproportionally).

China's enrollment dropped a ton last year, but is up this year, despite all the efforts to grow their own. Reason? They can't grow enough of them fast enough. Like China's search for energy, the nation must do everything within its power to satisfy the ratcheting demand curve.

So a hopeful turning point, perhaps. Makes me feel better.