NewsSaudi students benefit from ELTDeveloping the next generation of Saudi professionals 1,600 Saudi students are to benefit from a pioneering university foundation programme that will better enable students to compete in a global market place. Bell International, a leading education charity and English language provider, and its Saudi-based partner, Obeikan Research and Development, a major educational development group are to deliver a pioneering university foundation programme, which will provide intensive English language training alongside ICT, Maths and Study Skills subject tuition at the prestigious King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The foundation programme will benefit 1,600 male students, who will go on to study Engineering or Business Administration. In an effort to move the country away from dependency on foreign labour and oil revenues, leading Saudi education institutes are investing in programmes that are focussed on developing the country’s students so that it will be better equipped to compete on an international stage. Commenting on the importance of the foundation programme to Saudi, David Pottinger, Bell’s Chief Executive said: “This pioneering programme is a step towards skilling Saudi students with the necessary English language and academic skills they need to go on to secure high level jobs, whether their ambition is to be an engineer, a government worker or an entrepreneur. After the foundation programme students will take their degree, with subjects taught in English, which will equip them with the skills needed to compete on a global stage. “Working with Obeikan Research and Development has meant we have had up-to-date knowledge of Saudi’s developing training and education needs, which has been invaluable when developing a tailored programme.” The programme uses the latest Cambridge University Press training materials which are key to the success of the programme. Dr Ali Alhakami of Obeikan Research and Development commented: “The state-of-the-art study materials combined with Bell's proven excellence in delivering programmes tailored to specific needs and our local educational expertise will ensure the effectiveness of the programme. It will also contribute to the quality of higher education in Saudi Arabia and the region.” Students will receive 20 hours a week of English language tuition over a year and take students from elementary to intermediate level. The programme will run from September 2007 to June 2008 with over 60 experienced English language teachers delivering the training based at the campus in Riyadh.
Enquiries: Natalie Dawe Telephone: 01223 275511 Fax: 01223 414080 E-mail: Notes to editors: About Bell International Bell International is a leading educational charity and one of the largest British-owned providers of English language education services. It also provides teacher training, educational management, consultancy and project services to international organisations, universities and governments. Each year, it helps over 100,000 students, from more than 120 countries through one of its 41 worldwide teaching centres and e-channels, primarily to learn English and other languages.
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