KUWAIT: Senior US and Kuwaiti officials convened the Education and Scientific Cooperation Working Group of the fourth Strategic Dialogue yesterday, to discuss bilateral cooperation in the fields of higher education, professional development exchange programs, and scientific research.

US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce and Undersecretary at Kuwait's Ministry of Higher Education Dr Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem co-chaired the meeting with participation from Kuwait's Ministry of Education, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, and the Kuwait Institution for Scientific Research, among others.

Also present from the US side was Ambassador Alina L Romanowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arabian Gulf Affairs Tim Lenderking, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy Chris Hodges, among other senior US officials.

"The Education and Scientific Working Group is a key opportunity for the US and Kuwait to review the progress we have made in academic and cultural exchanges, and propose new initiatives that will improve educational and professional development opportunities for Kuwaiti students and young professionals," Ambassador Romanowski said.

"With over one million international students, the United States offers an unmatched variety of colleges and universities to select from. Kuwaiti students who choose to study there can learn in a truly international environment and come away with a world-class education," Romanowski added.

The discussion focused on how the US and Kuwait can work together to increase the number of Kuwaiti students at US education institutions, expand training programs for Kuwaiti English teachers, develop professional development exchanges for Kuwaiti youth and young professionals, and facilitate scientific cooperation between US and Kuwaiti institutions.

The US-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue, first launched four years ago, is an annual high-level series of meetings which frames the two countries' work on issues of shared concern. The next working group on security cooperation is scheduled for November 16.