When Emporia State President Dr. Michael R. Lane travels to Jordan and Oman later this month, he will be a step closer to the goal of re-establishing exchange programs with universities in the Middle East.
Lane is one of seven college and university presidents and senior chief executive officers selected for the 2011 Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program. His group will leave March 23 for the Middle East and return to the United States on April 8.
Emporia State University in the past has had partnerships with Al-Ahliyya Amman, Mu-tah, Petra and Philadelphia universities in Jordan. Lane hopes his trip will help revitalize those relationships.
“Our international students are an important part of our campus,” Lane said, noting that the number of international students has nearly doubled from 2006 to 2010, from 325 students to 600.
Contracts with Asian institutions have led ESU to add new courses in Chinese language and the study of Asia.
“An enhanced commitment with Middle Eastern universities gives us the same potential to promote the local study of the Arabic language and the Middle Eastern culture,” Lane said.
Saudi Arabian students — the third largest international student delegation at ESU — have led to the formation of the Islamic Student Association and instruction in Arabic language and culture.
Traveling to Jordan and Oman has another benefit, Lane said.
“Every time I travel overseas, I return with an expanded knowledge of the area,” he explained. “I believe this helps me better serve the students from those regions who choose to study at ESU.”
Lane has long been a strong advocate for international education. During his tenures at Bradley and Mansfield universities, he traveled to Russia on several occasions. His international emphasis for ESU has until now been focused in Asia where he has visited with partners in South Korea, Japan and the People’s Republic of China.
“I believe it’s important for students to study abroad and experience the world,” Lane said. “It’s invaluable.”
Lane’s group will spend five days in Oman before moving into Jordan for five days. During that time, according to information from the U.S. Department of Education, which administers the program, the group will:
• be exposed to Arab and Islamic culture;
• have opportunities to observe and compare higher education systems with local counterparts;
• meet with Education USA staff members who advise undergraduate and graduate students seeking information about study in the United States;
• have discussions with administrators of study abroad programs for U.S. students;
• have opportunities to learn of special higher education initiatives such as the El Hassan Science City in Jordan and Oman’s development of a unified online admissions system; and
• visit significant cultural and historic sites such as forts and souks in Oman and the ancient Nabatean city of Petra and Roman ruins at Jerash in Jordan.
