The U.S Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, says U.S is willing to admit more Nigerian students to its over 1000 community colleges across the country.
Mathew Washburn, Programme Officer, EducationUSA, U.S. Department of State said this at the Foreign Press Centre International Reporting Tour of the U.S. Community Colleges and Workforce Development programme in Washington D.C.
The tour was organised by the Foreign Press Centre, Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State to provide foreign journalists with information on opportunity available to foreign students in community college in U.S.
Washburn explained that Community Colleges were two-year schools that provided affordable post-secondary education and were often a path to a four-year degree. It is not well known internationally, it offers amazing opportunities in education and training.
He said that the U.S was committed to expanding job-driven training at community colleges nationwide.
The official of the U.S. Department of State, said it was imperative for young Nigerians to take advantage of the many educational development options that community colleges were currently offering.
“EducationUSA is committed to supporting the increasing number of African students who are interested in studying in the U.S.”
He said that opportunity awaits foreign students including Nigerians to study in the accredited educational colleges that were really waiting to admit them.
He said that the U.S was equipping the next generation of world leaders with the tools they needed to build stable economy, promote democracy and the rule of law, and create positive social change in their communities for a safely, more prosperous world.
He said U.S. higher institutions were consistently ranked among the top in the world as they provided quality education for students.
According to him, EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 425 international students advising centres in more than 175 countries. including Nigeria.
John Dyer, Director Workforce and Economic Development, American Association of Community College, (AACC) explained that community colleges had a wide range of faculty choices, along with a good quality of education and a world-class recognition for students.
He said that community colleges offered two-year schools that provide affordable post-secondary education and were often a path to a four-year degree.
The director explained that U.S. was committed to expanding job-driven training at community colleges nationwide. Community colleges also offered programmes to help students’ transition to a four-year college or university.
“Through a programme called Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT), community colleges receive special funding to increase their job-driven training programmes for students.
“Some community colleges have industry partnerships. As a result of TAACCCT, many community colleges offer training programmes to prepare students for the workforce.
“Remember, you must have permission to work in the U.S,” said the official.
