PARAMARIBO NOMINATION FOR THE 2009 U.S. BASED TRAINING

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000419 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR WHA/CAR JROSHOLT ECA/A/S/A FOR DOROTHY MORA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO NS SUBJECT: PARAMARIBO NOMINATION FOR THE 2009 U.S. BASED TRAINING PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION USA ADVISORS REF: STATE 100374 ¶1. (U) Embassy Paramaribo is pleased to nominate the following U.S. Embassy Business and Education Resource Center coordinator to attend the U.S. based Training Program (USBT) for EducationUSA Advisors. A: Center website address: suriname.usembassy.gov. Post confirms that the EducationUSA site has the correct URL listed for the Embassy. The EducationUSA logo is visible on the page for the U.S. Embassy Business and Education Resource Center. The link to EducationUSA is also prominent on the website. The U.S. Embassy website includes the following language: "This center belongs to the EducationUSA network of educational advising centers affiliated with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. EducationUSA advisers strive to provide accurate, comprehensive, current, and unbiased information on educational opportunities in the United States. We do not endorse or rank any college or university, nor do we endorse services provided by any company or organization in areas of test preparation, admissions, placement, language training, or visa procurement." ¶B. Name of nominee: Ms., Dijks, Judith B. ¶C. Nationality: Surinamese Date of birth: 12/06/1970 Passport number: R1119339 ¶D. Sex: Female ¶E. Address: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat #129 Telephone: 011-597-472 900 ext 2267 Fax number: 011-597-420 800 E-mail:dijksjb@state.gov ¶F. Job title and duties: Commercial Assistant/Business Education Resource Center (BERC) Advisor: 50% Commercial Assistant, providing assistance and information to U.S. firms on Surinamese market, economy, and legal requirements; 50% BERC Advisor, providing educational information and advising Surinamese persons and institutions on topics concerning studying at U.S colleges and universities. ¶G. Name of organization employing advisor: Department of State, American Embassy Paramaribo ¶H. Number of years experience in advising on U.S. higher education: four. ¶I. Previous participation in workshops, training programs: Regional Educational Advising Conference in Mexico, February, 2005. Caribbean EducationUSA Advisors Workshop, Barbados, December, 2006. ¶J. Has advisor studied in the U.S.: No ¶K. English ability: non-native speaker. Est. FSI rating: 3+,3+ ¶L. Name/title of nominating officer: Geneve Menscher, Pol/Econ Chief ¶M. Post endorsement of nominee: Post strongly endorses Ms. Dijks' participation in the USBT for EducationUSA Advisors. Judith Dijks has served in her current position for four years and would benefit immensely from receiving the U.S. -based training. Ms. Dijks has a strong knowledge of U.S. and Surinamese educational systems, a familiarity with the application process for U.S. higher education and training, and skills in advising and cross-cultural communication. It is natural that in this Dutch-speaking, former Dutch colony, many students would first think of studying in the Netherlands if they were to study abroad. Ms. Dijks has acted to counter that trend and has shown initiative in reaching out to high school and university students in order to foster interest in studying in the United States. This means that Ms. Dijks does not wait for people to come to her, but takes her message into the schools and to education-related fairs. As Ms. Dijks has never studied abroad in the United States herself. Participation in the small tours to campuses would be of particular benefit to her so that she can give prospective students good information on what it is like to be a student in the USA. ¶N. Number of contacts the center has annually: Visitors: 200 Phone:385 Email:77 Outreach: 200 ¶O. Post cost-sharing: Post confirms that it will cover the international airfare for Ms. Dijks. SCHREIBER HUGHES