Fall 2005 Middle East Fair

Country and Educational briefing done by Ms. Susan Daniel, Educational Advisor, AMIDEAST

Speech on education and the USEG fair in Lebanon by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey D. Feltman, http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/lebanon/remarks091605fair.html

Press conference with 8 different media outlets, including TV, Radio and newspaper.

Ambassador Feltman cut ribbon to open fair in Beirut.

The fair was held in the Movenpick ballroom.

Attendance at Beirut fair

1000 students attended the fair
65% Undergraduate
35% Graduate

85% of the students were Lebanese
15% of the students were expats. (Most of the expats were Palestinian)

AMIDEAST officials at fair

High School Visited in Beirut

Country and educational briefing done by AMIDEAST Jordan Country Director, Michael Clark and Educational Advisor Zohre Allawzi.

Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Rubinstien cut the ribbon to open fair in Amman.

Fair was held in the Sheraton Ballroom.

Attendance at Amman fair

1100 students attended the fair
40% Undergraduate
60% Graduate

85% of the students were Jordanian
15% of the students were expats. (Most of the expats were Iraqi, and Palestinian, several Iraqi students drove from Basra to come to the fair)

AMIDEAST officials at fair

High School Visited in Amman Jordan

Country and educational briefing done by Ms. Dahlia M Al-Riyami, Educational Advisor, US Embassy.

In Ms. Al-Riyami presentation she showed a graphic that explained 98% of all Omani applicants that applied for an F1 visa received the visa, she mentioned that the 2% denial rate was because the applicants did not have the appropriate financial guarantee.

Mr. Charles G. Cole, Public Affairs Office at the US Embassy Muscat attended the fair.

The fair was held in the Grand Hyatt ballroom.

Attendance at Muscat fair

900 students attended the fair
50% Undergraduate
50% Graduate

50% of the students were Omani
50% of the students were expats. (Most of the expats were Indian.)

Country and educational briefing done by Ms. Lina El-Labban, Educational Advisor, US Embassy Abu Dhabi.

The fair was held in the Hilton Ballroom.

Attendance at Abu Dhabi fair

400 students attended the fair
65% Undergraduate
35% Graduate

20% of the students were UAE Nationals
80% of the students were expats. (Most of the expats were Indian and Saudi)

Educational briefing done by Ms. Karen Fellabaum, Educational Advisor, US Consulate, Jeddah

Ms. Fellabaum came to the fair to support our group.

Country Briefing (The gentleman that gave the country briefing did not give out his card) If you need his info I will get it from the US Embassy in Riyadh.

Prince Salman (Governor of Riyadh Province and brother to the King) and the Minister of Higher Education opened the fair. The King gave a 5 minute speech in the auditorium of Al Yamamah College. Then he came back with his entourage and meet with all participants at the fair.

It was told to us by the Educational advisor that 1551 F1 visas for Saudi students were give in the month of August and takes about 2 weeks to a month to receive the visa. Most of the visas are on the 2 weeks side.

The Ministry of Higher Education announced availability of scholarships to good American universities for undergrad and graduate studies.

The students must have a minimum of a 2.75 GPA out of 4.00

General terms for scholarship

• Must be a Saudi citizen
• Must not be an employee in any private or government sector
• Must be full-time study program
• Must receive the proper visa from the US Embassy to study in any MOHE recommended university
• Must have copy of last degree
• Copy of good behavior report from High school

Attendance at Jeddah fair

2500 students attended the fair
55% Undergraduate
45% Graduate

90% of the students were Saudi
10% of the students were expats.