The Middle East and North Africa

1. The Middle East and North Africa Kristen Cammarata- Regional Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC) for the Middle East and North Africa Karen Bauer, Senior Educational Adviser- Saudi Arabia Rohayma Rateb- Senior Educational Adviser- Egypt Soraya Eftekhari- Educational Adviser for Iran EducationUSA.state.gov

2. EducationUSA in MENA Students: • 33,586 students in the U.S (Open Doors) Centers: • 24 center in 18 countries • Embassy based, Fulbright, AMIDEAST, virtual Team: • 29 Advisers, one REAC, one Program Officer EducationUSA.state.gov

3. Advising and Partnerships • Outreach: • Provincial cities- universities, libraries • MOHE/MOE • American Corners • School Visits • Center Advising: • Group and Individual • Special Topic • Virtual, Social Media, Email and Phone EducationUSA.state.gov

4. EducationUSA in Saudi Arabia

5. Saudi Students in America • 28,000 students and growing! • KASP program extended 5 years • Current KASP wave: • 4,500 students • 90% graduate students • 58% women • Emphasis on medical professions

6. EducationUSA in Egypt

8. EducationUSA in Iran

9. EducationUSA.state.gov

10. MENA Youth Bulge: 111 million Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Data EducationUSA.state.gov

11. MENA Students in the U.S. 2008/9 33,586 Source: IIE Open Doors EducationUSA.state.gov

12. MENA Student Mobility EducationUSA.state.gov

13. Why did we see decreases? • American branch campuses • Building up local universities • Local community college – Qatar • Bringing U.S. professors to the region • More investment in education • Economy in Dubai2009/2010 • Changes in scholarship managers EducationUSA.state.gov

14. Trends in Education in MENA • Emphasis on capacity building • Promoting science and technology for the knowledge economy • Weak linkage between education and labor markets • Narrowing gaps equals a demand for higher education • Interest in life long learning EducationUSA.state.gov

15. Significant Growth in MENA EducationUSA.state.gov

16. MENA Government Scholarships • Saudi Arabia • Qatar • Libya • Iraq • Kuwait • Bahrain and Oman * EducationUSA.state.gov

17. Collaboration with Host Governments • First point of contact for high level government contacts • Direct support to host country scholarship programs • Information on trends in U.S. higher ed. • Guidance on accreditation and transcripts • Organizing linkages EducationUSA.state.gov

18. U.S. Government Scholarships • Fulbright • Near East and South Asia Exchange Program NESA • Community College Initiative (Egypt) • Opportunity funding High school students • YES Program • Access MicroScholarships Program EducationUSA.state.gov

19. Fulbright Students in the U.S. EducationUSA.state.gov

20. Top Destinations – MENA China U.K. U.S. Europe Australia

21. MENA Regional Programming • Integrated into USG programs (outreach, special events, and other exchange programs: Fulbright, Humphrey, YES, Access) • Support for Host Country Programs • Alumni Associations, Pre-Departure Orientation, • Opportunity Funds in 10 countries • Competitive College Club • Regular training for and collaboration with private school counselors EducationUSA.state.gov

22. EducationUSA.state.gov

23. EducationUSA.state.gov

24. University of Ghana EducationUSA.state.gov

25. Reaching Students EducationUSA.state.gov

26. EducationUSA.state.gov

27. How to recruit MENA students- what can YOU do? • Involve the parents. • Personalize the process. • Work with the EducationUSA center. • Make sure you have what they are looking for. • Invest your time in social media. • Focus groups with current students. EducationUSA.state.gov

28. What makes a MENA student happy? • The opportunity to share their culture • Meeting a host family and getting involved in the local community • Taking the time to meet and treat them as individuals, not just one of the group • Discussion of rules • Support for Ramadan and other holidays EducationUSA.state.gov

29. EducationUSA.state.gov

30. Malawi College Fair EducationUSA.state.gov

31. Women • Minders are required by governments • What to do with the minder to ensure success • Women only housing • Special orientation sessions • Listen and ask questions • Best practices from advisers EducationUSA.state.gov

32. Challenges and Responses • Financial issues • Language issues • Access to information • Socio-economic issues • Difficulty understanding apply vs. register • Visa issues • Media- parental perceptions • Military service: Israel and Iran EducationUSA.state.gov

33. MENA: Application Challenges • Testing Issues- Low scores and availability • Documents requested from impossible sources or not available • Schools do not produce well rounded applicants competitive for UG scholarships. EducationUSA.state.gov

34. EducationUSA makes a difference: • Students make their own educated choices and arrive better prepared. • Good relationships with host country, parents, U.S. Consulate, local academic community. • Trying to prepare students from an earlier age through local and international programs. • Competitive College Clubs or Opportunity Clubs • Long term positive relationships • Media reports- help us show the positive EducationUSA.state.gov

35. Trends: What to Watch For • More sponsored students with diverse needs. • LMD graduates from Francophone countries- 3 year degrees • Governments and students looking for cost share. • More interest in opportunities for bridge programs, summer and boarding schools. EducationUSA.state.gov

36. African: Yes, we can ! EducationUSA.state.gov

37. Upcoming Events in EducationUSA MENA October: • UAE: UAE Government sponsored NAJAH Education Expo November: • Israel: MBA Fair • Libya: Linden Educational Fair April: • EducationUSA Regional Conference • Saudi Arabia: MOHE sponsored IEHE Expo