VZCZCXYZ0013
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPO #0419/01 2761951
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 021951Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0406

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000419 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR JROSHOLT 
ECA/A/S/A FOR DOROTHY MORA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO NS
SUBJECT: PARAMARIBO NOMINATION FOR THE 2009 U.S. BASED TRAINING 
PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION USA ADVISORS 
 
REF: STATE 100374 
 
¶1. (U) Embassy Paramaribo is pleased to nominate the following U.S. 
Embassy Business and Education Resource Center coordinator to attend 
the U.S. based Training Program (USBT) for EducationUSA Advisors. 
 
A: Center website address: suriname.usembassy.gov.  Post confirms 
that the EducationUSA site has the correct URL listed for the 
Embassy.  The EducationUSA logo is visible on the page for the U.S. 
Embassy Business and Education Resource Center.  The link to 
EducationUSA is also prominent on the website.  The U.S. Embassy 
website includes the following language:  "This center belongs to 
the EducationUSA network of educational advising centers affiliated 
with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs. EducationUSA advisers strive to provide accurate, 
comprehensive, current, and unbiased information on educational 
opportunities in the United States. We do not endorse or rank any 
college or university, nor do we endorse services provided by any 
company or organization in areas of test preparation, admissions, 
placement, language training, or visa procurement." 
 
¶B. Name of nominee: Ms., Dijks, Judith B. 
 
¶C. Nationality: Surinamese 
   Date of birth: 12/06/1970 
   Passport number: R1119339 
 
¶D. Sex: Female 
 
¶E. Address: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat #129 
   Telephone: 011-597-472 900 ext 2267 
   Fax number: 011-597-420 800 
   E-mail:dijksjb@state.gov 
 
¶F. Job title and duties: Commercial Assistant/Business 
   Education Resource Center (BERC) Advisor: 50% 
   Commercial Assistant, providing assistance and 
   information to U.S. firms on Surinamese market, economy, 
   and legal requirements; 50% BERC Advisor, providing 
   educational information and advising Surinamese persons 
   and institutions on topics concerning studying at U.S 
   colleges and universities. 
 
¶G. Name of organization employing advisor: Department of 
   State, American Embassy Paramaribo 
 
¶H. Number of years experience in advising on U.S. higher 
   education: four. 
 
¶I. Previous participation in workshops, training programs: 
   Regional Educational Advising Conference in Mexico, 
   February, 2005. 
   Caribbean EducationUSA Advisors Workshop, Barbados, 
   December, 2006. 
 
¶J. Has advisor studied in the U.S.: No 
 
¶K. English ability: non-native speaker. Est. FSI rating: 3+,3+ 
 
¶L. Name/title of nominating officer: Geneve Menscher,    Pol/Econ 
Chief 
 
¶M. Post endorsement of nominee:  Post strongly endorses Ms. 
Dijks' participation in the USBT for EducationUSA Advisors.  Judith 
Dijks has served in her current position for four years and would 
benefit immensely from receiving the U.S. -based training.  Ms. 
Dijks has a strong knowledge of U.S. and Surinamese educational 
systems, a familiarity with the application process for U.S. higher 
education and training, and skills in advising and cross-cultural 
communication.  It is natural that in this Dutch-speaking, former 
Dutch colony, many students would first think of studying in the 
Netherlands if they were to study abroad.  Ms. Dijks has acted to 
counter that trend and has shown initiative in reaching out to high 
school and university students in order to foster interest in 
studying in the United States.  This means that Ms. Dijks does not 
wait for people to come to her, but takes her message into the 
schools and to education-related fairs.  As Ms. Dijks has never 
studied abroad in the United States herself.  Participation in the 
small tours to campuses would be of particular benefit to her so 
that she can give prospective students good information on what it 
is like to be a student in the USA. 
 
¶N. Number of contacts the center has annually: 
Visitors: 200 
Phone:385 
Email:77 
Outreach: 200 
 
¶O. Post cost-sharing: Post confirms that it will cover the 
 
international airfare for Ms. Dijks. 
 
SCHREIBER HUGHES