Programs & Events

International Education Week Report

November 13-17, 2006

PAO Andrew McLean welcomes students, faculty and staff to the panel discussion on Studies in the USA.

PAS Conakry made educational institutions the focus of its outreach this week. APAO Kim Crawford Lueders toured schools in the capital speaking to the students, faculty, and administration of grade schools, high schools, and universities. In each location, PAS staff and the APAO spoke about the importance of international exchange sharing the words of the Secretary Rice’s statement on international education and President Bush’s own call to Americans to study a foreign language. In addition to a small donation of books for the teachers and for the student library, APAO and PAS Staff engaged with the students during question and answer sessions and encouraged the older students to become members of the Thurgood Marshall Information Resource Center.

To cap off this exciting week, PAS Conakry organized a panel discussion with PAO Andrew McLean, Cultural Assistant Serge Akhani, Fulbright alumnus Dr. Maladho Balde, Humphrey Alumnus Mr. Abdoulaye Sow, and Consular Assistant Mr. Sekou Moussa Doumbouya. The program filled the room at the University of Conakry to capacity with more than 60 students and a large crowd gathered outside the windows to listen in. During the question and answer period, students focused on student visa issues as well as general questions about university credits, TOEFL, and the Fulbright/Humphrey programs.  Needless to say there is a great deal of interest at the University in study in the U.S.