Exchange program activated for JEF

The Jeddah Economic Forum Exchange program was developed to build on the theme of this year's forum, Value Creation through Alliances & Partnerships.

In an effort to develop alliances and partnerships, students from Duke University and from several schools in Jeddah were selected to participate in an exchange program.

The Students arrived in Jeddah after spending one week in the United States of America as the first stage of the Exchange Program.

Among the delegation there were 11 Saudi Students from King AbdulAziz University, College of Business Administration (CBA), Dar Al-Hikma and Effat College, and a group of American Students from Duke University, representing a variety of majors and academic levels.

Each participant had to apply to participate in the program and was selected based upon his/her interest in the six subthemes, leadership and communication skills.

The subthemes of the 2008 Jeddah Economic Forum include public/private cooperation, urban development/real estate, finance, education, and technology/innovation in business practices.

"The program is not a typical exchange program where students take courses at a partner institution for a semester or an academic year; instead, the JEF Exchange program will last three weeks," said Dr. Kimberly Laboone, the Director of the Academic Enhancement Centers at Effat College and one of the Exchange program supervisors.

"The program supervisors paired each Saudi student with an American student so they would be able to share and learn from one another. Not only did the pairs exchange information about the Forum themes, they also discussed personal issues such as college life in their respective countries, their academic majors, interesting sites and places to visit, favorite foods and shopping locations, and cultural perspectives."

Dr. Laboone added, "Each group was excited to show off the best their countries have to offer to visitors and to locals. As supervisors of the program, we have discussed how we can continue the relationships developed and build on them for future partnerships and exchanges."