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