Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
06KUWAIT701 | 2006-03-01 14:10:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Kuwait |
VZCZCXRO6291 RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHGI RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHMOS RUEHPW DE RUEHKU #0701/01 0601410 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 011410Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3247 RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 1605 INFO RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000701 |
1. Summary: Kuwait is fertile ground for cooperation with the Ministry of Education on science and mathematics education as well as with cooperation with local science clubs and museums. Public Diplomacy programming in Kuwait have been effective in engaging Kuwaiti students, including science students, and Embassy Kuwait welcomes opportunities to expand math and science cooperation with Kuwaiti educational institutions. End Summary. Jumping on the Education Reform Bandwagon -------------------------- 2. Kuwait Public Diplomacy programming has sought to engage a wide range of teachers, professors and educational instructors in various fields of study in Kuwait. The Embassy has outstanding levels of cooperation with the Ministry of Education. The potential for cooperation in the mathematics and science spheres in addition to the current high level of cooperation in English language teaching is good. Kuwait's Ministry of Education is hosting a Senior English Language Fellow this year and is scheduled to host a second Fellow next academic year. The Ministry is currently engaged in reform processes, including textbook and curriculum reform, in all fields of study. Increased cooperation between the Embassy and the Ministry during this effort in the science and math fields, if done soon, would be timely. Teacher and administrator training as well as curriculum and textbook reform are fields where assistance is necessary. 3. Based on general discussions with officials in Kuwait's Ministry of Education, the Ministry would be open for cooperation with the Embassy in this effort. Such cooperation would have to be implemented with care because reform efforts that could be perceived by conservatives as meddling with the minds of young Kuwaitis, could be counterproductive. Curriculum reform is a very sensitive issue in Kuwait. That said, the Embassy is currently assisting the English language department of the Ministry with a review of its curriculum and we believe that the Ministry would be open to increased cooperation in math and science as well. Bringing a NASA Astronaut to Kuwait -------------------------- 4. Embassy Public Affairs has done science programming in Kuwait, at Kuwait University and at the Scientific Center during the past year. Public Affairs is in the process of organizing a science exhibit, which would exhibit a NASA Art Paper Show (an IIP product) in the Kuwait Science Club (a science club serving Kuwaiti high school students) and at the Kuwait Scientific Center (Kuwait's main science museum). The program plan is to bring in a NASA astronaut to offer lectures and to visit schools in conjunction with the Paper Show exhibit openings. Planning for that program is contingent upon available funding and any support in funding for such a program through this initiative would be most welcomed. The visit of a NASA astronaut to Kuwait would be a highly visible outreach event targeting Kuwaiti youth and promoting education, both key Mission Performance Plan goals. 5. As with all programming, funding and available personnel (in terms of time) are the main hindrances to increasing current math and science programming through Public Diplomacy with the active participation of the ES&T officer. 6. Potential partner organizations for this initiative include: American University of Kuwait Gulf University for Science and Technology Kuwait Environmental Society Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research Kuwait Ministry of Education Kuwait Science Club Kuwait Scientific Center Kuwait University Public Authority for Applied Education and Training Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (see reftel B) ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * KUWAIT 00000701 002 OF 002 LEBARON |