Canadian Bureau for International Education

Ms. Deidre Serrano, CBIE's Lead Consultant for U.S. Operations will be presenting on the Libyan-North American Scholarship Program at the upcoming 10th Washington International Education Conference (WIEC), which takes place January 23 and 24, 2011 at the University of California Washington, DC Center.

The WIEC is recognized as the premier event on international student recruitment, bringing together universities from throughout the United States with sponsoring organizations. Conference participants will hear from key Embassy and sponsoring organization personnel, including representatives from Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia on programs that fund international students in the United States. In addition to the Embassy meetings, Conference sessions will include practical information that can immediately enhance your international recruitment program at minimum cost to your institution.

Distinguished presenters from the Institute of International Education (IIE) will provide information on the latest trends in international student enrollment. Government representatives will discuss the latest developments on visa issuance and regulations governing international students while they are in the United States.

To view the Conference Agenda please visit:
http://washcouncil.org/documents/WIEC2012ConferenceProgram.pdf

December 21, 2010

CBIE participates in the 9th Annual Washington International Education Conference

Dr. Basel Alashi, CBIE’s Vice-President of International Partnerships and Ms. Kemale Pinar, Director, US Operations, Libyan-North American Scholarship Program, participated in The 9th Annual Washington International Education Conference, which took place at George Washington University and at Embassies throughout Washington between January 24th and 25th, 2011.

Dr. Basel Alashi & Ms. Kemale Pinar at 9th Annual Washington International Education Conference The Conference brought together stakeholders in international education from universities throughout the United States, Education and Cultural Attachés from Washington, DC-based Embassies, and sponsoring organizations. The Institute of International Education presented the latest information on trends in international student enrollment while representatives of the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State provided the latest information on visa issuance and regulations governing international students.

The Conference was a great opportunity for the many participating universities to learn about the Libyan-North American Scholarship Program and it represented an opportunity for CBIE to broaden its network of universities receiving Libyan students.

Please click here to view CBIE’s Conference presentation.

December 17, 2010

CBIE Holiday Schedule

Due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays please be advised that CBIE’s office will be closed starting noon on Friday, December 24th until Monday, January 3rd. In our best attempt to continue offering excellent service to the Libyan Scholarship students we have put in place a holiday response plan that will ensure operations with the Libyan-North American Scholarship Program run smoothly. If during the holidays you have an urgent matter, please contact your Academic Manager who will be monitoring their email messages and responding to emergency requests.

Please note that new students arriving during the above-mentioned time should contact Mr. James McCallum in the case of the United States (JMcCallum@cbie.ca) and Ms. Anan Al-Terhi in the case of Canada (ATerhi@cbie.ca). CBIE will address the needs of these students within a reasonable time.

On behalf of all staff at CBIE, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a safe and restful holiday season and our best wishes for the New Year!

December 15, 2010

CBIE Announces Opening of 2011 Competition for “Elizabeth Paterson International Student of the Year Award”

CBIE/Libyan-North American Scholarship Program invites Libyan students in Canada to share their experience studying in Canada by participating in this creative writing competition, which invites students to describe their academic, personal and social experience in Canada. Students must compose an original letter expressing their insights in a creative and dynamic manner. The letter can be written in either of Canada's two official languages and should be addressed to a relative, friend or mentor in their home country and can include up to two photos to help illustrate the message.

The Elizabeth Paterson International Student of the Year Award was created in 2004 as a memorial to Elizabeth Paterson, Director of the International Student Centre at the University of Toronto for 25 years, who guided and encouraged thousands of young people from numerous countries though their international learning journey. Elizabeth’s influence on the growing world of international education extended across Canada through her mentoring of newcomers to the international education sector, her research and reports, and her service on the Board of Directors of CBIE.

May 2010 - March 2011

Campus Visits

Many students and Doctors have had the opportunity to meet with CBIE staff during recent CampusVisits to Canadian and US institutions. Michelle Maloney, Academic Manager, visits Students at Missouri University of Science & Technology As a result of these visits CBIE has gathered important feedback and received many helpful suggestions on ways to further improve the services delivered to Libyan students as part of Scholarship Program. This valuable information will be reported back to the Ministry in Libya for consideration and review. Further visits are being planned by Academic Managers of students in the United States for early in the new year. Please check the ‘Updates’ section of the United States web site for details, or contact your Academic Manager for a more comprehensive schedule.

October 28, 2010

Alumni Reception in Libya

CBIE’s President, Karen McBride, was in Tripoli, Libya recently for the first reunion for alumni of Canadian educational institutions in Libya. The event, co-sponsored by the Canadian Embassy and CBIE, was hosted by Canada's Ambassador, Sandra McCardell and also served to celebrate the first anniversary of CBIE's agreement with the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research to manage its Libyan-North American Scholarship Program. Alumni Reception in Libya They expressed their deep affection for Canada and their strong interest in fostering stronger linkages between Canadian and Libyan institutions. In this regard, while in Tripoli, Karen also met with the Minister of Education Dr. Abdul Kabir Al Fakhry to discuss how CBIE might facilitate stronger partnerships in education. The reunion was well attended by approximately 80 former students who graduated from Canada while on scholarship through the Ministry.

October 20-23, 2010

CBIE 44th Annual Conference

Participants from the CBIE 44th Annual Conference CBIE’s 44th Annual Conference took place in Calgary, Alberta from October 20th to 23rd, 2010. Six hundred and fifty participants from 44 countries engaged in plenary presentations, workshops, concurrent sessions, institutional visits and networking events. CBIE’s member institutions consist of nearly 200 member schools, school boards, colleges, universities, organizations and corporations in Canada. Conference activities included professional development workshops, plenary sessions, debates, interviews, awards ceremonies and annual assemblies. Strands in the discussion included: engaging Aboriginal groups as participants in international education, enhancing women’s participation in leadership roles, developing joint degree programs, easing cultural adaptation of new students from abroad, and harnessing social media to market education internationally. During the conference, CBIE promoted the Libyan-North American Scholarship Program through a presentation to the members, during various networking opportunities, as well as through promotional brochure available at the CBIE booth.

October 20, 2010

Information Session—Libyan-North American Scholarship Program in Canada

Information Session—Libyan-North American Scholarship Program in Canada CBIE offered an information session about the Libyan-North American Scholarship Program in Canada at the CBIE 44th Annual Conference. This session was attended by nine Canadian member universities who were given an introduction to the Scholarship Program. The session explored the possibility of coordinated efforts to increase the number of Libyan sponsored students in Canada and then responded to members’ questions about the Program, and discussed any issues that might arise related to hosting Libyan sponsored students. Currently there are over 430 active students on scholarship in Canada and more than 300 of these students are pursuing graduate studies in engineering, sciences, mathematics & statistics, pharmaceutical sciences, business administration and applied linguistics. There are more than 100 Libyan medical doctors pursuing training in postgraduate residency positions in Canada.

October 3-8, 2010

Bi-Annual Steering Committee Meeting

From October 3-8 CBIE hosted Dr. Omran Algriany, the Director of Scholarships Division, and Dr. Mohamed Al Husen, the Undersecretary from the Libyan Ministry of Education and Scientific Research (MOESR).

Meeting of MOESR Delegation with University of Ottawa Officials The main objective of the Libyan delegation’s mission was to meet with CBIE for the first bi-annual Program Steering Committee meeting. During their visit Dr. Al Husen and Dr. Omran and met with several Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade senior officials and stakeholders from the higher education sector in Canada. The delegation also spent time with CBIE’s finance department, and met with both Libya-Canada and Libya-US Program Directors to discuss pending matters. Dr. Omran wrapped up their mission by visiting more than 70 Libyan students at the University of Ottawa.
Based on feedback it is clear that the MOESR is pleased with the progress CBIE is making with the management of the Libyan Scholarship Program. CBIE will continue working closely with the MOSER to ensure full compliance with the Program guidelines and regulations, which will translate into an increase in students to both Canada and the US.

CBIE is pleased announce that the Libyan delegation’s visit was a success and all parties look forward to the continued progress of the Libyan-North American Scholarship Program.

August 13, 2010

Best wishes for Ramadan from CBIE

CBIE extends warmest wishes to all Libyan scholarship students and doctors for a very blessed Ramadan. May you and your families enjoy much peace and happiness.

August 13, 2010

CBIE congratulates new scholarship recipients and graduates in Canada

CBIE is pleased to welcome new scholarship recipients to Canada as they join the scholarship program! Since January 2010, more than 115 new students have arrived in Canada and commenced their English language or academic studies. Upon their arrival, students receive an official welcome from CBIE which includes a detailed orientation about the scholarship program, the higher education system and life in Canada.

CBIE is also proud to congratulate those students who have recently graduated from their academic degree programs as well as those doctors who have completed their residency training. CBIE wishes continued success and happiness to the Libyan graduates in their future endeavors.

June 17, 2010

CBIE Launches Student Handbooks for Libyan Students

CBIE is proud to announce the launch of two new Student Handbooks: one for Libyan students studying in Canada and one for Libyan students studying in the United States. The handbooks provide an overview of the Libyan-North American Scholarship Program and the role of CBIE. The handbooks also detail information on immigration processes, the health care system, the higher education system and life in Canada or the US. These publications will assist new students as they plan their studies and act as a reference document for existing students and Ministry officials.

Student Handbooks area available in print at CBIE or on the CBIE Libya website.

Student Handbook (Canada): (click here)

Student Handbook (US): (click here)

June 10, 2010

CBIE’s Campus visits to meet with Libyan scholars in the US

Representatives from the Canadian Bureau for International Education visited the United States and met with MOESR sponsored students who are currently studying in Washington DC, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Texas, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois and Ohio. The purpose of the mission was to introduce CBIE services to the Libyan scholarship students, to brief students on MOESR’s policies and to address issues which are important to the students’ academic success and personal well being during their stay in the United States. During the trip we also met with university officials and had discussions about issues related to admissions and placement, academic success, and billing. The mission was very successful and allowed us to connect with students directly and our meetings were well attended and we were able to meet around 400 students.

April 23, 2010

CBIE Participates in the 2010 NAFSA Annual Conference in Kansas City, Missouri

CBIE participated in the 2010 NAFSA: Association of International Educators Conference, which took place in Kansas City, Missouri, between May 30-June 4, 2010. CBIE had a booth on display at the conference, highlighting its Libyan-North American Scholarship Program with higher education institutions from across the United States and Canada, and joining international education professionals from all over the world in advancing the causes of education abroad. For more information, please see NAFSA's Conference website.

April 16, 2010

CBIE to Visit Libyan Students in select-U.S. states

A delegation of CBIE representatives will visit some U.S. states where large numbers of Libyan students are currently studying (Washington DC, Michigan, Texas, Colorado and Ohio). The visit is planned for the period May 3-15, 2010. The objective of the visit is to personally meet the students, answer their questions and present the array of services and opportunities available to them during their period of study in the U.S. Further information will be communicated through CBIE’s regular newsletters and posted on this website.

January 19, 2010

Decision regarding self-sponsored Libyans currently pursuing a graduate degree in Canada or the United States

Self-sponsored Libyan students currently pursuing a graduate degree in Canada or the United States may now apply to the Libyan North American Scholarship Program while studying in Canada or the United States respectively. Based on the Ministry’s decision, Libyan students who fit this requirement should direct their request to the Libyan Embassy in Ottawa (Canada) or Washington DC (US), respectively.

October 26, 2009

CBIE signs agreement to manage major Libyan scholarship program in North America

The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) has been selected by the Libyan Ministry of Education and Scientific Research to manage their Government’s North American scholarship program for study at the graduate and post-graduate levels. Currently there are 1,800 Libyan scholarship recipients studying in North America, 400 in Canada and 1,400 in the United States. This number will increase in the coming years. For the full press release, see link below:

http://www.cbie.ca/data/media/releases/20091026_CBIE_Libya_Scholarships_e.pdf