Duke University academic partner for JEF 2008

Effat College's academic affiliated partners, Duke University will be the academic partner of JEF 2008 for the first time.

In a press conference that took place at Effat College on January 21, 2008, Sami Bahrawi, the JEF Chairman, announced, "With the assistance of Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, the Dean of Effat College, and Dr. Gazi Bin Zagr, member of JEF academic committee and Effat College's Advisory Board, we have reached an agreement with Duke University to be the JEF academic partner, which is a worthy accomplishment to get such a renowned university, like Duke, involved in this year's forum. Effat College's current partnership with Duke University cut the process short."

"We are looking forward to running a different version of the forum for this year that aspires to design the blue print for the economic future of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region".

Duke University's major contribution to the forum will focus on education and training. "We want to extend the benefits of this partnership by focusing on the mechanism of applying business and financial education and developmental training, which will be provided by professional experts from Duke University," said Bahrawi. "As the academic partner, part of Duke University's role will be applying new methods to lift up the level of interaction. In an effort to boost the forums' effectiveness," commented Jane Somers, from Duke University's representative.

Building on its history as the strategic partner, Effat College will recruit students from colleges and universities in Jeddah to voluntarily cover and write reviews about the Forum's sessions.

These reviews will be published on the Forum website under "Student Views" as a documentary record.

Dr. Haifa Jamal AL-Lail said, "It is a great opportunity for students to enhance their writing and thinking skills. They will be exposed to an array of intellectual sessions that will leave a remarkable impact on their personality and prepare them for corporate life in the future. This insightful and interactive participation will cultivate our students' critical and analytical skills".

Another new interaction method to be applied this year student exchange. Building on this new alliance with Duke University, there is a group of nominated students from Effat College and Duke University will attend the JEF to reflect the main theme of this year's forum that highlights the importance of international alliances and partnerships aiming to improve our society's well-being without losing our Arabic and Islamic identity.

"It is a holistic approach, because economic revolution should accompany a social evolution, and we need to build up international partnerships that serve and fulfill our needs and demands," said Dr. Gazi Bin Zagr.

"The selection of students for this student exchange project is based on academic and non-academic criteria, because we believe that student development should cover personal, social, and academic aspects. We, at Effat College, emphasize the importance of community service," added Dr. Haifa.