2008 Woodie Awards
NU recruits more Arab students
Lucia Allen
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: News
Following the September 11 attacks, there was a decline in the number of Arab and other Middle Eastern students studying in the United States, according to the Institute of International Education. But in recent years, Northeastern has seen a significant increase in their enrollment, school officials said.
"We look at regions in the world in our recruitment. We want to build interest in students toward Northeastern at an international perspective," said David Hautanen, director of undergraduate admissions and recruitment.
Though the number of students from Iraq studying at Northeastern has decreased in the last 10 years, the number of students from Arab and Middle Eastern countries has increased by about 24 percent in the last two years, said Scott Quint, assistant dean and director of the International Student & Scholar Institute (ISSI) and co-Interim Dean of Academic and Cultural Enrichment services.
There has been a 70 percent total increase in the number of international students studying at Northeastern, Hautanen said.
Hautanen said the admission's office has made it a priority to increase the global pool at Northeastern and admission recruitment is subsequently directed to more than 50 countries.
"We work with a number of partners, like Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation, to sponsor students to study in the US," Hautanen said.
Admissions also works with Saudi Aramco, an oil company that encourages and sponsors students to study in the United States.
The increase of international students is thanks to admissions along with other offices.
ISSI hosts conferences like PEACE, a dialogue encouraging 16 to 20 students from various backgrounds to ask questions and engage in cultural exchange, Quint said.
"For 16 students, introductions took almost three hours. I think it was a relief for many students. Many of them just wanted to share their different experiences and backgrounds," Quint said.
Recently ISSI met with 11 deans from colleges in Iraq from the US State Department, Quint said. Northeastern officials also have met with the US Education Offices in Arab and Middle Eastern countries, Hautanen said.
"We look at regions in the world in our recruitment. We want to build interest in students toward Northeastern at an international perspective," said David Hautanen, director of undergraduate admissions and recruitment.
Though the number of students from Iraq studying at Northeastern has decreased in the last 10 years, the number of students from Arab and Middle Eastern countries has increased by about 24 percent in the last two years, said Scott Quint, assistant dean and director of the International Student & Scholar Institute (ISSI) and co-Interim Dean of Academic and Cultural Enrichment services.
There has been a 70 percent total increase in the number of international students studying at Northeastern, Hautanen said.
Hautanen said the admission's office has made it a priority to increase the global pool at Northeastern and admission recruitment is subsequently directed to more than 50 countries.
"We work with a number of partners, like Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation, to sponsor students to study in the US," Hautanen said.
Admissions also works with Saudi Aramco, an oil company that encourages and sponsors students to study in the United States.
The increase of international students is thanks to admissions along with other offices.
ISSI hosts conferences like PEACE, a dialogue encouraging 16 to 20 students from various backgrounds to ask questions and engage in cultural exchange, Quint said.
"For 16 students, introductions took almost three hours. I think it was a relief for many students. Many of them just wanted to share their different experiences and backgrounds," Quint said.
Recently ISSI met with 11 deans from colleges in Iraq from the US State Department, Quint said. Northeastern officials also have met with the US Education Offices in Arab and Middle Eastern countries, Hautanen said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 37
david elliott
posted 4/11/08 @ 11:24 AM EST
This is a real good move? What we need is more students from countries in the Middle East. I'm rethinking any future donations to NU.
JH
posted 4/11/08 @ 5:42 PM EST
THAT SOUNDED RACIAL! RACIALITY!! RACISMS!!! EVERYONE, I'M OFFENDED AND CALLING THE WHAMMMBULANCE!!! DEAR PRESIDENT AOUN, I DEMAND YOU CATER TO MY ETHNIC GROUP TO MAKE UP FOR THESE TERRIBLE RACISMS OR I'M CALLING AL SHARPTON!!!!
Matthew Soleyn
posted 4/11/08 @ 5:55 PM EST
Stepping up global recruitment efforts is a good idea. It is also a good idea for students who are not from the Middle East to learn about it. There is a lot of potential for profit and growth in the Middle East, especially as nations such as Iraq turn into free, democratic states. (Continued…)
Christian
posted 4/12/08 @ 2:17 PM EST
How about recruiting more American kids? No, the school would rather cater to a region that despises us.
anon
posted 4/13/08 @ 5:10 PM EST
Hahaha, this isn't because of any sort of "diversity" initiative. It's because the Arab kids that study here are rich bastards, and NU wants their money. (Continued…)
bigot
posted 4/14/08 @ 2:00 AM EST
oh great. more terrorists.
Danny
posted 4/14/08 @ 11:50 AM EST
I'm fairly certain Christian and Moberg are the same person.
Sam
posted 4/14/08 @ 3:33 PM EST
I don't think it's a bad idea to recruit students from different countries, and ethnicities, but I do disagree with Northeastern forcing diversity, and admitting people simply because they are "diverse". (Continued…)
Elisabeth
posted 4/15/08 @ 3:44 PM EST
See, this wouldn't even be an issue if universities including, NU, didn't require racial status when applying. Why does it matter what race I am, if you deserve to go to this school then you should be accepted, based on your hardwork and your application, not on your race. (Continued…)
Christian
posted 4/17/08 @ 9:13 AM EST
Total straw man argument, way to misinterpret everything I said. I never advocated closing the doors of Northeastern to immigrants. I agree that Americans lag behind Asians in math and sciences and I support student visas to those that excel in it, because I support getting talent wherever it comes from, just as I support banning a program that lets kids in based on such a loose concept as "diversity" rather than merit. (Continued…)
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