PROMOTING STUDY IN THE U.S. DURING INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 005012 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA/PPD (AFERNANDEZ, CWHITTLESEY),ECA/A/S/A (MTHOMPSONJONES),ECA/A/S/A (RWALDSTEIN),IIP/G/NEA, CA/VO/I (BARMSTRONG) MANAMA FOR RELO LAHOR FOR KKALAM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC KPAO SCUL KIRC OIIP XF KU SUBJECT: PROMOTING STUDY IN THE U.S. DURING INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK REF: A) KUWAIT 4832 B) KUWAIT 4811 C) KUWAIT 1201 KUWAIT 00005012 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. SUMMARY: Embassy Kuwait went on the offensive during International Education Week, November 13 to 18, 2005, advancing study in the U.S. by countering misinformation about visa difficulties, about Muslims being welcomed in America, and by arguing that higher education in America is second to none. Press outreach garnered positive coverage. Public Affairs hosted the first DVC between prospective students in Kuwait and an American university at the Embassy. Kuwait's Senior English Language Fellow held a training session at AMIDEAST for English instructors who will be teaching during the ACCESS program. END SUMMARY. Declining Numbers Spur Action -------------- ¶2. This year's International Education Week came on the heels of the 9 per cent decline in Kuwaiti student visa issuances during FY-05 when compared to FY-04 (reftel B) and during the release of the Open Doors report by the Institute of International Education that reported an overall 7 per cent drop in the number of Kuwaiti students in the U.S. during 2004/05 as compared to 2003/04. ¶3. Embassy efforts during International Education Week focused on high visibility outreach activities featuring EmbOffs engaging prospective students. On November 13 and 15, 2005, a Visa Officer, the Cultural Affairs Officer and the Educational Advisor based at AMIDEAST-Kuwait held presentations promoting study in the U.S. and explained the student visa process at American Corners at Kuwait University and American University of Kuwait. Reaching Youth Audiences -------------- ¶4. On November 14 and 15, 2005, Al-Rai TV (Kuwait's private satellite television station) aired an interview with the Ambassador on popular youth program "Raikom Shabab" (Youth Opinions). The Ambassador promoted U.S. higher education, followed by a Consular Officer who answered visa questions. The interview aired the evening of November 14 and on the morning of November 15. In addition, on November 14, the AMIDEAST-Kuwait Country Director conducted an interview with Kuwait TV 2 (English) on International Education Week. On November 14, the Embassy hosted the first DVC between a group of Kuwaiti students interested in studying in the U.S. and an American university (Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana). The aim of the planned series of DVCs is to permit Kuwaiti students in American universities to answer questions prospective students in Kuwait may have about their experiences in the United States. On November 15, Embassy ConOff participated in a web chat with a number of prospective students online with AMIDEAST, the Embassy's Educational Advising Center in Kuwait. Spreading the Message -------------- ¶5. On November 16, 2005, Embassy Public Affairs organized a press roundtable with the Ambassador, Cultural Affairs Officer, Consular Officer and AMIDEAST representative. The event achieved wide press coverage: - Al-Anba, 11/17/05, p. 2, 1/4 page, Arabic, circ. 40,000 - Al-Qabas, 11/17/05, p. 4, 1/4 page, Arabic, circ. 65,000 - Al-Rai Al-Aam, 11/17/05, p. 17, 1/4 page, Arabic, circ. 80,000 - Al-Seyassah, 11/17/05, p. 3, 1/4 page, Arabic, circ. 45,000 - Al-Watan, 11/17/05, p. 20, 1/3 page, Arabic, circ. 65,000 - Arab Times, 11/17/05, p. 5, 1/4 page, English, circ. 40,000 - Kuwait Times, 11/17/05, p. 4, 1/3 page, English, circ. 35,000 - Link to the Kuwait News Agency Report: HTTP://WWW.KUNA.NET.KW/HOME/STORY.ASPX?LANGUA GE=EN&DSNO=787 855 Other press coverage of International Education Week: KUWAIT 00005012 002.2 OF 002 - Al-Rai Al-Aam, 11/14/05, p. 16, almost 1/2 page with photographs. This coverage of the Kuwait University American Corner presentation included all of the information from our web resource cards, listing all of our education-related web sites. - Kuwait Times, 11/14/05, p. 4, 1/2 page with photographs, English, circ. 35,000, highlighting our presentation at the Kuwait University American Corner. - Al-Rai Al-Aam, 11/16/05. p. 18, full page, Arabic, circ. 70,000, featuring a transcript of the Ambassador's interview on Al-Rai TV from 11/14. - Kuwait Times, 11/21/05, p. 3, blurb with a photograph, English, circ. 35,000, included the address and information available on the http://usinfo.state.gov website. Teaching Teachers -------------- ¶6. Also in celebration of International Education Week, the Embassy's Senior English Language Fellow conducted a training session in American teaching methodology for ACCESS program English language teachers on November 18 at AMIDEAST. On November 20, the Mission's IRC Director led a talk on "U.S. Info" Internet resources for American University of Kuwait students as part of the American Corner series. Alumni Development -------------- ¶7. The Embassy intends to pursue the organization of U.S. graduates into an alumni association. The hope is that this tool as part of our larger strategy will assist post efforts to encourage more Kuwaiti students to study in the U.S., whether in short-term summer programs or to complete university degrees at American institutions of higher learning. LEBARON