US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT5012

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 005012 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NEA/PPD (AFERNANDEZ, CWHITTLESEY), ECA/A/S/A 
(MTHOMPSONJONES), ECA/A/S/A (RWALDSTEIN), IIP/G/NEA, 
CA/VO/I (BARMSTRONG) 
MANAMA FOR RELO 
LAHOR FOR KKALAM 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: OEXC, KPAO, SCUL, KIRC, OIIP, XF, KU 
SUBJECT: PROMOTING STUDY IN THE U.S. DURING INTERNATIONAL 
EDUCATION WEEK 
 
REF: A) KUWAIT 4832 
     B) KUWAIT 4811 
     C) KUWAIT 1201 
 
KUWAIT 00005012  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
1.  SUMMARY:  Embassy Kuwait went on the offensive during 
International Education Week, November 13 to 18, 2005, 
advancing study in the U.S. by countering misinformation 
about visa difficulties, about Muslims being welcomed in 
America, and by arguing that higher education in America is 
second to none.  Press outreach garnered positive coverage. 
Public Affairs hosted the first DVC between prospective 
students in Kuwait and an American university at the 
Embassy.  Kuwait's Senior English Language Fellow held a 
training session at AMIDEAST for English instructors who 
will be teaching during the ACCESS program.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Declining Numbers Spur Action 
----------------------------- 
 
2.  This year's International Education Week came on the 
heels of the 9 per cent decline in Kuwaiti student visa 
issuances during FY-05 when compared to FY-04 (reftel B) 
and during the release of the Open Doors report by the 
Institute of International Education that reported an 
overall 7 per cent drop in the number of Kuwaiti students 
in the U.S. during 2004/05 as compared to 2003/04. 
 
3.  Embassy efforts during International Education Week 
focused on high visibility outreach activities featuring 
EmbOffs engaging prospective students.  On November 13 and 
15, 2005, a Visa Officer, the Cultural Affairs Officer and 
the Educational Advisor based at AMIDEAST-Kuwait held 
presentations promoting study in the U.S. and explained the 
student visa process at American Corners at Kuwait 
University and American University of Kuwait. 
 
Reaching Youth Audiences 
------------------------ 
 
4.  On November 14 and 15, 2005, Al-Rai TV (Kuwait's 
private satellite television station) aired an interview 
with the Ambassador on popular youth program "Raikom 
Shabab" (Youth Opinions).  The Ambassador promoted U.S. 
higher education, followed by a Consular Officer who 
answered visa questions.  The interview aired the evening 
of November 14 and on the morning of November 15.  In 
addition, on November 14, the AMIDEAST-Kuwait Country 
Director conducted an interview with Kuwait TV 2 (English) 
on International Education Week.  On November 14, the 
Embassy hosted the first DVC between a group of Kuwaiti 
students interested in studying in the U.S. and an American 
university (Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana).  The 
aim of the planned series of DVCs is to permit Kuwaiti 
students in American universities to answer questions 
prospective students in Kuwait may have about their 
experiences in the United States.  On November 15, Embassy 
ConOff participated in a web chat with a number of 
prospective students online with AMIDEAST, the Embassy's 
Educational Advising Center in Kuwait. 
 
Spreading the Message 
--------------------- 
 
5.  On November 16, 2005, Embassy Public Affairs organized 
a press roundtable with the Ambassador, Cultural Affairs 
Officer, Consular Officer and AMIDEAST representative.  The 
event achieved wide press coverage: 
 
- Al-Anba, 11/17/05, p. 2, 1/4 page, Arabic, circ. 40,000 
- Al-Qabas, 11/17/05, p. 4, 1/4 page, Arabic, circ. 65,000 
- Al-Rai Al-Aam, 11/17/05, p. 17, 1/4 page, Arabic, circ. 
80,000 
- Al-Seyassah, 11/17/05, p. 3, 1/4 page, Arabic, circ. 
45,000 
- Al-Watan, 11/17/05, p. 20, 1/3 page, Arabic, circ. 65,000 
- Arab Times, 11/17/05, p. 5, 1/4 page, English, circ. 
40,000 
- Kuwait Times, 11/17/05, p. 4, 1/3 page, English, circ. 
35,000 
- Link to the Kuwait News Agency Report: 
HTTP://WWW.KUNA.NET.KW/HOME/STORY.ASPX?LANGUA GE=EN&DSNO=787 
855 
 
Other press coverage of International Education Week: 
 
KUWAIT 00005012  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
- Al-Rai Al-Aam, 11/14/05, p. 16, almost 1/2 page with 
photographs.  This coverage of the Kuwait University 
American Corner presentation included all of the 
information from our web resource cards, listing all of our 
education-related web sites. 
- Kuwait Times, 11/14/05, p. 4, 1/2 page with photographs, 
English, circ. 35,000, highlighting our presentation at the 
Kuwait University American Corner. 
- Al-Rai Al-Aam, 11/16/05. p. 18, full page, Arabic, circ. 
70,000, featuring a transcript of the Ambassador's 
interview on Al-Rai TV from 11/14. 
- Kuwait Times, 11/21/05, p. 3, blurb with a photograph, 
English, circ. 35,000, included the address and information 
available on the http://usinfo.state.gov website. 
 
Teaching Teachers 
----------------- 
 
6. Also in celebration of International Education Week, the 
Embassy's Senior English Language Fellow conducted a 
training session in American teaching methodology for 
ACCESS program English language teachers on November 18 at 
AMIDEAST.  On November 20, the Mission's IRC Director led a 
talk on "U.S. Info" Internet resources for American 
University of Kuwait students as part of the American 
Corner series. 
 
Alumni Development 
------------------ 
 
7. The Embassy intends to pursue the organization of U.S. 
graduates into an alumni association.  The hope is that 
this tool as part of our larger strategy will assist post 
efforts to encourage more Kuwaiti students to study in the 
U.S., whether in short-term summer programs or to complete 
university degrees at American institutions of higher 
learning. 
 
LEBARON