Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI2627
2006-06-25 12:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

UAEG AGREES TO IMPLEMENT FULBRIGHT PROGRAM

Tags:  KPAO OEXC SOCI AE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9783
RR RUEHDE
DE RUEHAD #2627 1761217
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 251217Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5864
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF EDUCATION WASHDC
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002627 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP; ECA/A/E/NEA-SA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OEXC SOCI AE
SUBJECT: UAEG AGREES TO IMPLEMENT FULBRIGHT PROGRAM


UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002627

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP; ECA/A/E/NEA-SA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OEXC SOCI AE
SUBJECT: UAEG AGREES TO IMPLEMENT FULBRIGHT PROGRAM



1. (U) Summary: On June 24, Ambassador, PAO and Econoff met
with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan, Minister of Higher
Education and Scientific Research, to discuss implementing a
Fulbright Visiting Student Program in the UAE. Sheikh Nahyan
was enthusiastic about the program and agreed to sign a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a bilateral
Fulbright Council. Ambassador asked the Minister to name two
Emiratis to the bilateral Council and informed him that she
would appoint two Americans to the Council. In addition to
the Fulbright program, Ambassador asked Sheikh Nayhan about
educational reform at the university level. He replied that
the federal budget for higher education remained too low.
End Summary.


2. (U) On June 24, Ambassador, PAO and Econoff met with
Sheikh Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education, to discuss
implementation of a Fulbright Visiting Student Program, with
funding for five UAE graduate students to study in the United
States. Ambassador proposed implementing this program
through a bilateral Fulbright Council via a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Ministry of Higher Education. The
Bilateral Council will identify fields of study for the
Fulbright grants and will interview prospective candidates
for the program. The Council will be comprised of two
Americans and two Emiratis. Ambassador proposed signing the
MOU and inaugurating the program by early September; Sheikh
Nahyan said he was eager to sign the MOU as soon as it was
ready.


3. (SBU) In addition to their discussions on the Fulbright
program, Ambassador also asked Sheikh Nahyan about
post-secondary education reform. The Minister seemed
optimistic about the state of education reform in the UAE,
although he complained about the federal budget. Sheikh
Nahyan reported that while there are 20,000 applicants for
the 2006-2007 academic year at Zayed University, UAE
University and the Higher Colleges of Technology (equivalent
to community colleges) combined, there are only 7,000 slots
available due to lack of funding. (Comment. Although
funding is a problem at the post secondary level, funding is
an even greater problem at the primary and secondary levels.
The wealthy emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai supplement
federal education funding with their own rulers, funds. End
comment.)


4. (U) Ambassador also asked the Minister about the state of
students' preparedness to enter UAE universities. The
Minister said that using the CEPA English language entrance
exam (which tests English skills) as an admission requirement
will ensure that students are better prepared to enter
university.
SISON