| First cohort of 160 Omani Access course students graduate |
Staff Reporter
MUSCAT Eighty girls and 80 boys in Muscat, Nizwa, Sohar and Salalah graduated from the ‘English Access Microscholarship Program’ during the week of July 14, said a press release from the US embassy in Muscat.
The English Access Microscholarship Program is funded by the US state department and is currently implemented in Muscat, Sohar, Salalah and Nizwa, by Amideast Oman and the Ministry of Education of the Sultanate.
The graduation ceremonies were organised by Amideast Oman and the Ministry of Education in cooperation with the US embassy Muscat. HE Richard J. Schmierer, US Ambassador to the Sultanate attended the ceremonies in all locations and welcomed the students, parents, and teachers on behalf of the US embassy.
Schmierer, as well as Isaac Reynolds, Access Program Officer with Amideast, and regional representatives of the Ministry of Education, presented the students with their graduation certificates for this programme.
Schmierer said: “The US embassy is delighted to support this important programme, which opens doors for Omani students’ educational and professional advancement.” He said that in coming years, the programme partners were planning to extend the programme to other governorates in Oman.
The graduation ceremonies marked the completion of the two-year programme, which gives Omani students the opportunity to engage in two years of after-school English language classes and other, more English-intensive sessions and activities with an American instructor.
The classes combine English language instruction with the US cultural activities and experience in computers, community service projects, art, study skills, and leadership and teamwork training.
“My colleagues and I are excited about graduating our first cohort of Access students in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the US embassy,” said Sarah Jackson, Amideast’s Oman country director.
“Next year’s students are full of enthusiasm as they prepare for their classes to begin again in the fall, and the students who have just been awarded certificates are honoured to have been given this wonderful opportunity to build their skills and broaden their horizons,” she said.
According to the press release, this year 320 Omani students will take part in the Access Program, joining 70,000 other students in over 85 countries that have participated in the programme since its inception in 2004.
Oman Tribune
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