International Education Week Prizes

Student Photo Group with the PAO and RELO (US Embassy Photo)

Student Received prize from the PAO (US Embassy Photo)

On December 20, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Dakar, held a prize-giving ceremony after having launched a nationwide essay competition in celebration of the annual International Education Week (http://iew.state.gov/). This is an important date in the Embassy’s calendar that celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of the effort to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.
The purpose of the competition, in accordance with this year’s theme “A Safer and Healthier World,” was to provide an avenue for self- expression and to help enhance students’ language and communication skills. Their critical thinking and argumentative skills were also tested as part of the exercise.   Public Affairs received twenty eight (28) total essays, and American officers in the Public Affairs Section worked together to judge the essays. Eight winners were chosen – from university, secondary school, and also as honorable mentions.
With prizes from the Embassy’s Regional English Language office (RELO) and the Information Resource Center (IRC), the students were generously rewarded for their efforts.  Some students attended with parents or teachers to receive the awards from American officers at the Embassy.  The hope is that the prizes received will contribute to the success of their academic careers.