American education conference in Dubai

More than 70 US universities will participate in the event at the Dubai Knowledge Village and seek to reassure Middle East students that they are welcome on their campuses

Dubai Knowledge Village, the fast-emerging educational hub in the region, will host one of the biggest American education conferences and expositions outside the US from February 11 to 13.

The conference and exposition are being organised by US-based firm The International Student Network in collaboration with the American Embassy in the UAE. It will involve participation from more than 70 universities.

Open doors policy

Last November 15, the Institute of International Education released its Open Doors 2004 report which indicated that 572,509 international students had enrolled in US colleges and universities in 2003–04.

This represents a decline of 2.4 per cent from the previous year - the first such decline since 1971-72.

The decline is attributed to many reasons including real and perceived difficulties in obtaining student visas especially in scientific and technical fields, rising tuition costs in the US, vigorous recruitment activities by other English–speaking nations, and perceptions abroad that international students may no longer be welcome in the US.

Allan Goodman, President and CEO of the Institute of International Education, listed some of the reasons for the decrease.

"A wider range of educational opportunities at home, stiff competition from other host countries, rising US tuition costs and the complex process to tighter screening of visa applicants.

"While US embassies abroad expand their efforts to communicate these policies and expedite the review process, higher education institutions also are grappling with the issue and finding innovative ways to reach out to potential applicants," said Goodman.

"It is clearly in America's longterm national security interest to welcome international students to come here to study.

"International students in the US classrooms widen the perspectives of their US classmates, contribute to vital research activities, strengthen the local economies in which they live and build lasting ties between their home countries and the Unites States."

The American Education Conference thus comes at a critical stage.

Recognising the need to build bridges and reassure students, parents and educators that America continues to welcome them on their campuses, the International Student Network (ISN) has put together a unique training programme.

It includes several need-based modules covering a range of topics such as the procedures in the application process, a comparison between a community college and a university, essential facts about the new generation SAT and TOEFL and visa regulations.

"International students make an invaluable contribution to American colleges where they study and we wholeheartedly support events like the ISN Expo," said Peter Neisuler, Branch Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate, Dubai.

The training costs $200 for two days. The package includes current information, handouts, two networking lunches and the opportunity to meet and discuss with experts areas perceived as problems and issues that Middle Eastern students face that need solutions.

Debates

At the end of the training programme the participants will receive an American Academic Counseling Certificate from the American Embassy.

The Best Education Money Can Buy will be the topic of discussion on February 11. The first part of this interactive session will be "from parents to parents".

Parents whose children are currently studying in American schools will share their perspective with parents of aspiring students. This session will be moderated by Gloria Estolano, Educational Consultant, EDAAD Scholarship.

The second half of the debate termed Student to Student will be a sharing of first-hand experiences by students who have graduated post-September 11 with prospective students.

The session will be moderated by Jim Paul, Education Team Leader with the US Department of Commerce.

Due to space constraints, the event is open only to the first 250 who register for the event.

So to avoid disappointment, register online at www.isnexpo.com/dubai and be a part of a mega educational event that can give wings to your dreams.

Agenda
February 11, Friday
Opening Discussion: The Best Education Money Can Buy
Panelists will debate topics such as reasons the US remains the number one destination for foreign students and the benefits of foreign students to American campuses. Panelists will also answer questions from the audience.
Time: 4-5 pm

Welcome remarks by US Embassy official/Dr Goodman, President of IIE.
Time: 5-6pm

Parent-to-Parent: Q&A with parents of students studying in the US.
Time: 6-7pm

Student-to-Student: Live reactions and advice from US graduates in the Gulf
This special event is limited to 11th and 12th grade students and parents with only 100 registrations.

February 12, Saturday
Time: 3-4pm
Seminar: Work and Study in the US. Presented by Drexel University. 4-7pm
American Education Expo. Time: 5-6 pm
Seminar: Financial Aids and Scholarship Opportunities. Presented by Rekha Kalle. Time: 6- 7pm
Seminar: MBA programmes in the US

February 13, Sunday
Time: 3-4 pm
Seminar: Guidelines for Obtaining a US Student Visa. Presented by a US Visa Consul.
Time: 4-7pm
American Education Expo. Time: 5-6pm
Seminar: Engineering and Computer Science in the US. Time: 6-7pm
Seminar: Practising for Computer Testing. Presented by College Board. Time: 7-8pm
Seminar: Work and Study in the US. Presented by Drexel University

The exposition
The participating American universities will showcase their programmes from 5 to 7pm on February 12 and 13.

They will give out information on their international scholarships and present various informative sessions.

Babish Soni, President of International Student Network, said, "It is imperative to have this ground-breaking event in this region for the fact that students need the right guidance to make the right career choices in today's competitive world.

"Education is a big investment for parents and we are here to show parents the best education money can buy."

The expo is free on both days for all parents, teachers and students. There will also be concurrent information sessions on topics that affect most applicants.

The writer works as an independent education adviser