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A Win-win Approach
for the
Middle East
Perspective from Egypt
Highlights: Pre-University Education
• Education Reform Projects
• Restructuring of Thanawya Ama Certificate
• Developing new assessment tools
• Expanding investment plans in education
Trends: Higher Education
● Establishment of universities
● Emerging new “type” of universities
● Increasing graduates
● New joint/Dual degree programs
● Partnerships with international
institutions/foreign countries
● Increasing scholarships
Future Prospects?
Recruitment Tips
● Highlight scholarship opportunities
● Highlight safety
● Develop innovative distance degrees/programs
● Use your alumni
Recruitment Tips cont’d.
• Invest in College Fairs
• Visit Education USA Centers
• Schedule organized recruitment visits
• Share highlights and new programs
• Develop flexible admission requirements
• Develop internationally friendly website
• Use technology (videoconferences,…etc)
A Win-win Approach
for the Middle East
Perspective from the UAE
United Arab Emirates
• Capital: NOT Dubai, Abu Dhabi!
• Seven Emirates
• Population: 4,621,399 (July 2008 est.)
What is SCO?
• Distinguished Student Scholarship (DSS)
• Study-abroad Scholarship Program (SASP)
High School Students in the UAE
• Different high school certificates
• Emphasis on end-of-year exam
• Memorization vs. critical thinking
• Absence of high school counseling
• Study and language skills
• Cultural differences
Wish List
• ESL+ Bridge
• Flexible/rolling admissions/hold spots
• Conditional offers
• Main contact/office person
• Internal communication
• Academic advising
• Faculty and staff cultural awareness
• Accommodating religious needs
Wish List
• Housing needs on and off-campus
• Student support services
• Communication and regular reporting for
ESL students
• Close monitoring and early warnings
Remember to…..
• Reach out to the sponsoring agencies
• Visit and learn more about the UAE
• Work on internationalizing your campus
• Know your competitors!
Thank you!
Abir Khater
www.sco.org.ae
A Win-win Approach
for the Middle EastGeorgetown University
School of Foreign Service in Qatar
– A US Branch Campus
in the Middle East
• The capital?
– Doha
• Population?
– 928,635 (July 2008 est.)
• GDP per capita?
– $75,900 (July 2007 est.)
* Source: CIA The World Factbook
Qatar- a brief overview
Higher Education in Qatar
• One governmental institution (Qatar University)
• Several private or international institutions:
– College of the North Atlantic
– CHN University
– University of Calgary-Qatar
– Education City
Education City
• Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar– Graphic, Interior and Fashion Design
• Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar– Pre-medical and Medical
• Texas A&M University at Qatar– Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical and Petroleum Engineering
• Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar– Business Administration, Computer Science and Information Systems
• Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar– International Politics
• Northwestern University in Qatar– Journalism and Communications
Branch Campus Philosophy• Education City universities offer the same degrees and certificates as their
respective main campuses
• Education City faculty are mainly professors from the respective main campuses
• Unprecedented faculty to student ratio
• Cross-registration
• Study-abroad
• Libraries
• Community outreach
Georgetown SFS-Qatar
At a Glance• Total student body: 155 students
– 50 incoming freshman, 48 rising sophomores, 32 rising
juniors, 25 rising seniors
– 30 nationalities
– 41 % Qatari
– 37% male, 63% female
– 25-30% live on-campus
– 2 study-abroad students in Spring 2008
– 2 study-abroad students in Fall 2008
Student Testimonials
“When I finally began to live as a Hoya and experience
Georgetown, I was more than impressed. I never really
worried that the experience was not the same as it was
on the main campus. Just like people feel at home on
the main campus, I felt at home here at SFS-Qatar....”
Asmaa Al Adawi, SFS-Qatar ‘09
Student Testimonials
“It has been a unique journey for me in Georgetown-Q that I don't think many college freshmen experience. The opportunities here are unbelievable from generous
Financial Aid with a great pay-off plan to the free student trips to places all over the world. Also, the small
classrooms with close contact with professors provide a better chance for academic success.”
Ossob Mohamud, SFS-Qatar „11
How we can work together
• Exchange programs
• Semester/year-
abroad programs
• Graduate programs
• Education City road
show
• Look for Education
City representatives
at future conferences
Pay Us A Visit
Thank You!Nelly El-Zayat
http://sfs.georgetown.edu/qatar
A Win-win Approach for
the Middle East
Presented by
Negar Davis
Director of
International Student Services
The Pennsylvania State
University
University Office of International Programs
• A Comprehensive International Office
• A staff of 45
• Education Abroad
• International Student Services
• Strategic Global Partnerships
International Student Services
Mission Statement
Penn State International Student Services is committed to providing leadership and support that contributes to the academic, cultural, social and personal experiences of students and scholars from around the world during their stay at Penn State and beyond.
We accomplish this by offering a wide range or quality support services, including pre-arrival services, orientation programs, immigration and general advising, workshops and cultural programs to enable students to develop and practice the skills necessary to become world citizens.
ISS GOALS
• To provide excellent customer service to all stakeholders
• To be recognized as one of the top international student service providers in the U.S.
• To enhance the cultural diversity of Penn State
Pre-Arrival Support
• Initial Document Services and Orientation overview
• General orientation to Penn State and the surrounding communities
• Advising on immigration and general matters
• Assistance with housing matters
• Link with current students on campus
Post-Arrival Support Services
• Airport pick-up service
• Temporary housing
• Orientation Program
Peer Mentor Program
• Match incoming international student with upper-level student of same nationality
• Designed to facilitate transition and combat homesickness and culture shock
• Also encourages involvement and volunteerism from upper-level students
• Create “training” for Mentors focusing on possible questions, active listening, emotional issues as well as what NOT to talk about
Student Support Services
• Advocacy on behalf of students
• Immigration and visa support
• Integration with American students
• Involvement with the community
Student Support Services
• On-campus housing for married couples
• Programs for spouses
• Intensive English courses for students who need it
• Local Support Groups
• Places of worship, e.g., local Mosque
• Halal certified foods
• Host Family Programs
Making Connections
• Global Connections
• Local United Way agency is a volunteer non-profit organization
• Co-sponsor programs such as the “International Children’s Festival” to reach community and teach community
• Connections with Student Affairs and University support services
• Advocate for international student interests and inclusion in larger university community; enhance services to international students to promote cultural sensitivity and respect for the global community
Cultural Events and Programming
• ISS Coffee Hour
• Held weekly, but also hosted by an international student organization once a month
• ISS Newsletter/The Globe• Central location for all things “international”
• Life at Penn State workshops
• Designed to support students’ “whole life”
• Explorers Program
• Student Organizations
• International Student Council: International Spring Festival
Largest Country Groups at Penn State,
Fall 2007
Enrollment trends from GCC
Fall 2003
Fall 2004
Fall 2005
Fall 2006 Fall 2007
Spring 2008
Bahrain 2 3 1 2 0 1
Kuwait 27 19 20 18 21 28
Oman 5 7 12 16 18 20
Qatar 3 3 1 4 5 5
Saudi Arabia 36 27 29 55 62 74
U. A. E. 9 9 17 14 25 25
Total 82 68 80 109 131 153
Homecoming Parade
Middle East Information Table
THANK YOU!
