Evan Ryan, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural AffairsThe United States is still the number one destination for Kuwaiti students said Evan Ryan, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) as she met local media yesterday. Ryan met with various members of the Ministry of Education – including the Director of Scholarship Department Wafah Al-Saraf, on her arrival from Oman.
Ryan commended the Kuwaiti government for its efforts in increasing the number of Kuwaitis studying in the US. ìI met with Wafa Al-Saraf at the Ministry of Education and she mentioned several positive experiences of their students in the United States,î she said. ìI assured her of our support and we would love to further strengthen the programs which we are working on. We would like to hear anything with regards to our exchange programs and their positive experiences. So far, Iíve got only good report,î she mentioned.
Ryan who oversees a wide range of academic, cultural and sports exchanges in the US also thanked the Kuwaiti government for their support and relentless commitment to their young people. ìIíd like to thank Kuwait for their strong support and commitment. We are glad to have Kuwait as partners.
It helped strengthen our bonds,î she added. Her work in the ECA include exchange programs which engages youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and emerging leaders in more than 160 countries. ECA has over one million participants to this date, which include about 4000 Kuwaitis. ìKuwait is a good friend of the United States,î she said. Ryan is in a brief visit to Kuwait from a tour to Ramallah (Palestine), Tel Aviv (Israel) and Muscat (Oman).
She also visited London (United Kingdom) and from Kuwait, sheíll be touring Spain for the same purpose. Ryan was introduced to media at Radisson Blu Hotel by Lisa Heilbronn, Councilor for Public Affairs in the US Embassy and Sarah King, Chief of Staff to Assistant Secretary Ryan. Prior to the conference, Ryan also visited the English Access Microscholarship Program classroom, including local sites related to cultural heritage and art education, and met with exchange program participants and alumni, including those focusing on disability advocacy and youth entrepreneurship and employment. The US official also talked about how she was proud of the English Access Microscholarship Program which provides a foundation of English language and leadership skills. The program is offered to 13-15 years old students through afterschool classes and intensive summer learning activities.
Source: Kuwait Times
