LOC13:53
10:53 GMT
(with photos)
KUWAIT, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- The British Council recently organized an online
training course for private education agents in Kuwait to develop their
knowledge of UK education and enable them to give useful, accurate advice to
prospective students.
In a press release on Saturday, the British Council said that this
innovative training course "gives candidates a broad understanding of the UK
education system at all levels and in all sectors, and provides a wealth of
information about living and studying in the UK."
The course was also opened to counselors from government scholarship
organizations.
This program, known as the Education UK Certificate for Agents, is just one
of many services the British Council provides to agents across the Middle East
region and indeed globally.
Speaking at the certificate ceremony, Director of the British Council in
Kuwait, Stephen Forbes, said, "The British Council does not accredit agents,
but values agents as marketing partners who are able to reach a great many
prospective students and provide information about studying in the UK."
Education UK Adviser at the British Council, Khalid Masoud, said that the
course "provides candidates with the knowledge and skills they need to counsel
students effectively about UK education and independently use UK education
resources to help them in their work and ensures that advice given to the
public about UK education is clear, consistent and accurate."
The course is delivered entirely online and the content is designed by
British Council education specialists in partnership with a wide range of UK
education institutions and senior representatives from UCAS (the Universities
and Colleges Admissions Service) and the UK Border Agency, to ensure all
information is accurate and current.
Candidates are supported by local British Council staff who organize a
welcome meeting and support sessions during the program. All counselors who
participate in the course are given the skills to confidently give advice not
only about UK education, but about the resources and services students can
access for more information.
The first cohort of candidates trained by the British Council Kuwait
completed the course in 2006, and included the current Kuwaiti Cultural
Attache in London Dr. Bander Al-Raqqas.
To date, 12 candidates have successfully completed the course, ranging from
education counselors at private agencies to scholarship providers to school
counselors. (end)
abd.ema
KUNA 191353 Dec 09NNNN