Educational exchange program with Saudi Arabia will help strengthen ties with Muslims and the (Arab) Middle East
In just the past two years, the US State Department has assisted in an expansion of the exchange program with Saudi Arabia that will result in 15,000 new Saudi students at American universities. Having lived in Saudi Arabia and having taught Saudi students at King Abdul Aziz University in Riyadh (English and computer sciences in the evening), I can state unequivocally that they are some of the finest students I've taught in locations all over the world in the past thirty or so years. The Saudi students in the photo above (right) are attending Kansas State University.And no, the students who are visiting America are not the types of persons who caused the murders committed on 9/11! They are Saudis, yes, but of a very high caliber, I'm sure. Further, the $31,000 (average per year) tuition and expenses given each student by the Saudi Royal family will ensure that they are not a burden of any sort on the schools to which they will be assigned.
The Saudis who flew the planes into the targets of 9/11 were radical Muslims -- as opposed to pre-medical, business, engineering and agriculture students. Radical Muslims and members of al-Quaida are hardly the kinds of persons who could be selected for this excellent exchange program. Obviously, the students are screened very carefully by both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The program is good for the students, the US and Saudi Arabia ... helping to tie bonds and bring better understanding of each others' cultures rather than hardening differences between our cultures (as might be the case with our current occupation and conflict in Iraq).
The program will have quintupled by the end of the current school year. Now, that's progress!
Yike, what a dull blog! I can't diss anyone over this exchange program. Good work, Mr. Bush!
posted by Dr. Joe @ 10:02 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I think it is a great idea, especially re: mending ties between the two nations and muslims. What I wonder is will these students be taking these skills with them back to Saudi Arabia or will they have the chance to remain in the United States?
We have very similar policies in Australia though most students are given the chance to remain in the country if they become and asset to the Australian way of life. Though it does cost them a fortune to study here.
Orhan Kahn -
No, that's the one bad aspect of it. Saudis do very little actual "work" (other than some of the medical doctors), but certainly use their skills as managers and owners of businesses.
Of course, I left Saudi Arabia ten years ago and things have undoiubtedly changed. Over in Dubai, though, it's even worse in that regard. Almost none of the actual native Arabs (citizens of the UAE) actually "work" in any sense whatsoever. Some do, but they were in a minority. I think we had one professor at the AUD (American University in Dubai) who was a citizen of the UAE. We did have a couple of excellent Lebanese professors, however, and some marvelous Indian and Pakistani students.
Cheers
MWN (Joe)
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