O S E A S * E U R O P E

Cable from: Catherine L. (Alderton) Friend <calderto@EXCHANGE.USIA.GOV>

Subject : FY 2000 OSEAS PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR U.S. PROFESSIONALS IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION - CALL FOR HOST SITES, FULBRIGHT COMMISSIONS, DOS-AFFILIATED OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL ADVISING CENTERS

1. SUMMARY: ECA/A/S/A IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE SIXTH YEAR OF THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL US-OSEAS PROFESSIONALPARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AND TO ANNOUNCE A NEW PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE [ETS] TO FUND TWO OF THESE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. THIS CABLE INVITES APPLICATIONS FROM DOS-AFFILIATED EDUCATION INFORMATION/ADVISING CENTERS TO HOST A U.S. PROFESSIONAL IN THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FIELD. HOST APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY ECA/A/S/A NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2000. END SUMMARY.

2. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: THE FY 2000 OSEAS PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WILL BE JOINTLY FUNDED BY ECA/A/S/A AND ETS. IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE ITS SUPPORT OF THE GLOBAL NETWORK OF OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL ADVISING CENTERS AND EXPRESS ITS APPRECIATION FOR THE WORK OF U.S. PROFESSIONALS AND OVERSEAS ADVISERS IN FACILITATING INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE, ETS HAS GENEROUSLY AGREED TO FUND TWO PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNTIES. THIS CALL FOR HOST SITES COVERS BOTH STATE- AND ETS- FUNDED OPPORTUNITIES. NAFSA: ASSOCIATION OF NTERNATIONAL EDUCATORS WILL ADMINISTER THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WITH FUNDING FROM ECA/A/S/A.

3. THE PROGRAM WILL GIVE APPROXIMATELY EIGHT U.S. PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND UP TO FOUR WEEKS AT ONE OR MORE OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION/ADVISING CENTERS. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PROMOTE DIALOGUE BETWEEN OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL ADVISERS AND THEIR U.S. COUNTERPARTS SO THAT BOTH SIDES CAN INCREASE COOPERATION AND TAILOR THEIR SERVICES TO COMPLEMENT THE EFFORTS OF THE OTHER. THE PROGRAM IS ALSO DESIGNED TO PROVIDE U.S. PARTICIPANTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BY HAVING THEM LEARN MORE ABOUT ADVISING CENTER OPERATIONS AND THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS OF HOST COUNTRIES. FORMER U.S. PARTICIPANTS HAVE RETURNED AS STRONG ADVOCATES OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE AND EDUCATION INFORMATION/ADVISING CENTERS. HOST CENTERS BENEFIT FROM THE U.S. PARTICIPANTS' EXPERTISE AND INSIGHT INTO THE U.S. EDUCATION SYSTEM. IN THE PAST, U.S PARTICIPANTS HAVE PARTICIPATED AS RESOURCE PERSONS AT LOCAL AND REGIONAL ADVISER TRAINING SESSIONS, MADE PRESENTATIONS (E.G. ON PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION, FINANCIAL AID, ACCREDITATION) TO PROSPECTIVE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, AND ASSISTED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MATERIALS FOR THE HOST ADVISING CENTER. THE EXACT CONTENT AND SCHEDULE FOR EACH PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IS MUTUALLY DETERMINED BY THE HOST CENTER AND THE U.S. PROFESSIONAL.

4. EXAMPLE OF A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM: UNDER THE FY 1997 US-OSEAS PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM, THE COORDINATOR OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & FACULTY SERVICES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND TRAVELLED TO GHANA AND ZIMBABWE. IN GHANA HE PRESENTED AND PARTICIPATED IN THE AFRICAN REGIONAL ADVISING CONFERENCE AND MET WITH STUDENTS AT THE USIS HARARE ADVISING CENTER. IN BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE, A NEWSPAPER ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS PRESENTATION ON ADMISSIONS STRATEGIES FILLED THE LOCAL LIBRARY, WITH 300 ADDITIONAL PERSONS TURNED AWAY. THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND PARTICIPANT AND HIS INSTITUTION MAINTAIN REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL ADVISERS HE MET DURING HIS PROGRAM, CONSULTING ON ISSUES OF MUTUAL INTEREST.

5. U.S. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE SELECTED THROUGH AN OPEN COMPETITION ORGANIZED BY NAFSA. CANDIDATES MUST DEMONSTRATE GENERAL AND PECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION, AND BE WILLING TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AFTER THEY RETURN HOME. IN ADDITION, CANDIDATES MUST BE IN GOOD HEALTH TO WITHSTAND THE RIGORS OF TRAVEL.

6. SELECTION OF HOST SITES WILL BE ANNOUNCED NLT MARCH 13, 2000. SELECTION OF U.S. PARTICIPANTS AND MATCHING WITH HOST SITES WILL BE ANNOUNCED NLT MAY 2000. IT IS HOPED THAT SELECTED U.S. PARTICIPANTS AND HOST CENTER REPRESENTATIVES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AT THE NAFSA NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO IN MAY 2000. [FUNDING FOR NAFSA CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE IS NOT RPT NOT PART OF THIS PROGRAM]

7. PROGRAM OUTLINE: THE PROGRAM WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE U.S. AS A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR U.S. INTERNATIONAL EDUCATORS. THEREFORE, HOST CENTERS AND PARTICIPANTS SHOULD WORK COOPERATIVELY TO DESIGN A PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES DIRECT,HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE OF THE OPERATIONS AND SCOPE OF ONE OR MORE EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTERS. THE PARTICIPANTS SHOULD ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND TIME LEARNING ABOUT THE HOST COUNTRY AND/OR LOCAL EDUCATINAL SYSTEM(S)INCLUDING SITE VISITS TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS AS APPROPRIATE. IN ADDITION,HOST CENTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROPOSE OTHER PROJECTS WHICH WOULD FIT THE NEEDS OF THE CENTER WHILE PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES TO THE U.S. PARTICIPANT. PROGRAM SCHEDULES SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE OF THE U.S. PARTICIPANT AND, IN TURN, MAXIMIZE THEIR EXPERTISE AT THE APPLICANT CENTERS. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD SPEND SUFFICIENT TIME AT EACH HOST CENTER TO ENSURE A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL PROGRAM. IF SCHEDULING PERMITS, CENTERS MAY ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER INCLUDING US PARTICIPANTS IN REGIONAL ADVISING CONFERENCES.

8. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM IS NOT/NOT INTENDED FOR INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES OVERSEAS (COLLEGE FAIR OR OTHERWISE). A SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENT OF TIME AND PRE-PLANNING BY BOTH THE HOST SITE[S] AND THE U.S. PARTICIPANT IS NECESSARY FOR A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM. NAFSA, ECE/A/S/A, AND THE APPROPRIATE REAC WILL ASSIST HOST CENTERS AND U.S. PARTICIPANTS TO DESIGN A MUTUALLY-BENEFICIAL PROGRAM IF REQUESTED.

9. NAFSA, THROUGH THE FY 2000 EDUCATION AND TRAINING SUPPORT GRANT, WILL FUND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, TRAVEL BETWEEN HOST CENTERS, AND A STIPEND FOR PARTIAL PER DIEM COSTS FOR THE U.S. PARTICIPANT. PARTICIPANTS AND/OR HOST CENTERS WILL BE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE COST-SHARING [E.G. ACCOMMODATIONS, PER DIEM, IN-COUNTRY TRAVEL] AS POSSIBLE. TOTAL COST OF EACH PARTNERSHIP WILL DEPEND ON THE LENGTH AND LOCATION[S] OF STAY AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES PROPOSED BY THE HOST CENTER. HOST CENTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE ANY FORM OF COST-SHARING TO MINIMIZE THE FUNDING REQUEST TO NAFSA/STATE. FINAL BUDGETS WILL BE NEGOTIATED ONCE THE U.S. PARTICIPANT HAS BEEN MATCHED WITH A HOST CENTER.

10. HOST INSTITUTION REQUIREMENTS: NOTE: JOINT APPLICATIONS FROM MORE THAN ONE ADVISING CENTER WITHIN A COUNTRY OR REGION WILL BE CONSIDERED MORE COMPETITIVE THAN THOSE FROM ONE CENTER ONLY. HOST CENTERS WILL BE ASKED TO PROPOSE A SERIES OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THOSE INDICATED ABOVE WHICH WILL COMBINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE U.S. EDUCATOR AND THE NEEDS OF THE HOST CENTER(S). FOLLOWING THE SELECTION AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF U.S. PARTICIPANTS, HOST CENTERS WILL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP MORE DETAILED PROGRAM SCHEDULE AND ESTABLISH MUTUALLY AGREEABLE DATES FOR THE VISIT, WHICH MAY BE UP TO FOUR WEEKS. ALL VISITS MUST BE COMPLETED NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 31, 2001. HOST CENTERS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING ALL LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM AND COMMUNICATING THESE ARRANGEMENTS TO THE U.S. PARTICIPANT IN A TIMELY MANNER. ACCOMMODATIONS SHOULD BE MADE AT A MODERATELY PRICED HOTEL OR THE EQUIVALENT. ADVISING CENTERS THAT ARE ABLE TO COST-SHARE HOTEL COSTS, OFFER ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATIONS FREE OF CHARGE, OR PROVIDE OTHER COST-SHARING WILL STRENGTHEN THEIR CHANCES FOR ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM. ALL ADVISING CENTERS INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS PROGRAM ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THEIR APPROPRIATE REAC FOR ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE AND SUGGESTIONS INCLUDING OTHER CENTERS WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING A JOINT PROPOSAL. JOINT APPLICATIONS SHOULD ADDRESS THE LOGISTICS AND COST OF TRAVEL BETWEEN HOST CENTERS AND SHOULD CLEARLY IDENTIFY ONE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE PROGRAM.

11. HOST APPLICATION PROCEDURES: ALL CENTERS INTERESTED IN HOSTING A PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM SHOULD PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO ECA/A/S/A/ NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2000. NO APPLICATIONS, RPT NO APPLICATIONS, WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DEADLINE. ECA/A/S/A WILL CONFIRM RECEIPT OF EACH APPLICATION WITHIN 48 HOURS. IF CONFIRMATION IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF SUBMISSION, THE APPLICANT SHOULD CONTACT ECA/A/S/A IMMEDIATELY. ECA/A/S/A PROGRAM OFFICER IS MS. CATHERINE FRIEND: E-MAIL (CALDERTO@USIA.GOV) TELEPHONE: 202-619-5434 OR 202-619-6589 FAX: 202-401-1433 THE NAFSA PROGRAM COORDINATOR IS MS. ANNIQUE PAGEON: E-MAIL (ANNIQUEP@NAFSA.ORG) TELEPHONE: 202-737-3699 EXT. 267 FAX: 202-737-3657

12. APPLICATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED VIA CABLE, FAX, E-MAIL OR INTERNATIONAL MAIL TO ECA/A/S/A - C. FRIEND WITH A CC TO THE APPROPRIATE REAC AND GEOGRAPHIC BUREAU PD OFFICE. PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS WHICH ARE SUBMITTED OTHER THAN BY CABLE MUST INCLUDE ENDORSEMENT/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM APROPRIATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER AT LOCAL U.S. EMBASSY OR CONSULATE.

13. APPLICATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE:

A. NAME OF NSTITUTION(S)/ORGANIZATION(S) (EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTERS/ADVISING CENTERS)

B. NAME OF PRIMARY HOST CONTACT/COORDINATOR OF PARTICIPANT ACTIVITIES

C. ADDRESS

D. PHONE

E. FAX

F. E-MAIL

G. PROPOSED DATE AND LENGTH OF PROGRAM (MUST BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 31, 2001). APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BE FLEXIBLE IN THEIR PROPOSED DATES.

H. PROPOSED PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FOR PARTNERSHIP GRANTEES (PLEASE PROVIDE AS MUCH DETAIL AS POSSIBLE. ACTIVITIES AND SCHEDULES MAY BE REVISED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE U.S. PARTICIPANT AND/OR NAFSA ONCE THE MATCH HAS BEEN DETERMINED.)

I. DESIRED AREAS OF EXPERTISE OF U.S. PARTICIPANT (PLEASE LIST THREE AREAS IN PRIORITY ORDER) [E.G. FINANCIAL AID, ESL, ADMISSIONS PROCESS, PRE-DEPARTURE, INSURANCE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY, ETC.] NOTE: THOSE U.S. PARTICIPANTS WHO WILL RECIEVE FUNDING FROM ETS WILL BE DRAWN FROM A COMMON POOL OF APPLICANTS FROM U.S. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FO ADDRESSING ISSUES RELATED TO TESTING IN THE HOST COUNTRY.

J. ACCOMMODATIONS AND OTHER LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH CENTER WILL MAKE.

K. COST SHARING (INCLUDING ANY OFFER OF FREE HOUSING)

L. SPECIAL NEEDS OF CENTER THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN MATCHING PARTICIPANTS [LANGUAGE SKILLS, PHYSICAL LOCATION, ET.]

M. SUPPORTING LETTER FROM APPLICANT INSTITUTION/ORGANIZATION WHICH HOUSES EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTER.

N. CONCURRENCE OF LOCAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF AT EMBASSY OR CONSULATE IF APPLICATION IS NOT SUBMITTED BY CABLE.

O. STATEMENT OF INTEREST EXPLAINING WHY THE CENTER WOULD LIKE TO BE A HOST INSTITUTION FOR THIS PROGRAM

14. PLEASE CONTACT ECA/A/S/A-C. FRIEND IF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS REQUIRED. REGARDS.

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