International Education "Week" in Laos

UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000876 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ECA/A/S, EAP/PD AND EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL PREL LA SUBJECT: International Education "Week" in Laos REF: STATE 121893 ¶1. Summary: Embassy Vientiane hosted a number of events to mark International Education Week throughout the month of November, including public speaking workshops, video presentations at the Faculty of Engineering, a lunch hosted by the Ambassador for National University deans and vice-deans, presentations on studying in the U.S., the rollout of a new undergraduate scholarship program, and educational advising activities at the largest cultural festival in Laos. End Summary. ¶2. Post chose "International Education" as the theme for activities at the American Center during the month of November. On November 8, more than 30 students from the Lao-American College attended a workshop on public speaking led by Amy Archibald, the Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy. In preparation for a speech contest later in the month, the workshop was designed to provide students with some hints and tips on how to organize a speech, prepare to get up in front of an audience, and look confident...even when they are not. We held the speech contest for students on November 28, with the topic of "Going Abroad to Study English." Registration for the 25 slots filled quickly. The judges were extremely impressed with the poise and creativity of the students, especially considering that they were speaking in public in a second language. ¶3. Taking our theme on the road, the PD section went to the Faculty of Engineering. On November 9, more than 100 students and staff at the National University's Faculty of Engineering watched Dr. Edward ¶C. Stone's video presentation about the satellite Voyager and its journey through space. Dr. Stone, a professor and leading reseQr at the California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, used film and enhanced photographs to explain storms, volcanoes, and quarks in the solar system. He also showed how the sun and solar system are related, and what the moon can tell us about the history of space. ¶4. During the "week" itself, Ambassador Ravic Huso hosted a lunch at his residence for National University deans and vice deans. Guests from the Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Letters, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Engineering came to meet the new Ambassador and discuss the state of higher education in Laos. Conversation ranged from the challenges of teaching entrepreneurship in Laos to the pros and cons of the No Child Left Behind Act. Later that week, Post Education Advisor Vimol Dalaloy presented an overview of studying in the U.S. for 15 students. The group discussed the U.S. education system, how to apply to schools, the time line of applying to schools, and the admission process. In addition, she showed the students some of the financial aid books that are available at the AC & IRC. ¶6. Post briefed deans at the National University and Lao American College about the new UGRAD scholarship for undergraduates program throughout the month. This will be the first U.S. Government-sponsored scholarship for undergraduates in Laos, and could double the number of students going to American universities on USG programs. Since the deadline for nominations is in early February, we encouraged the deans to help us recruit academically strong students with good leadership qualities and excellent English skills. We gave them materials to explain the program and laid out the procedures for registration and applications. We hope to have 15-20 good candidates for the scholarship by the end of January. ¶7. Finally, Post took advantage of the crowds and opportunities for outreach presented by the annual That Luang cultural festival in Laos. More than two thousand people from around the country visited the U.S. Embassy booth during the festival, November 17 - 25. This is the biggest festival in Laos, celebrating the unity of the country and its Buddhist heritage. As always, the booth included displays on U.S. Government-sponsored scholarships, materials on studying in the United States, and information on the American Center and Embassy website. We also distributed books and pamphlets with information about the United States economy and government and sold English study materials at greatly reduced prices. ¶8. For more information about our public events, please visit the "highlights" section of our website at http://laos.usembassy.gov . HUSO