Muscat, December 16, 2012 —AMIDEAST announced today that it plans to move its headquarters in Oman to a new location in January 2013.   Located in the Airports Heights/Ghala section of Muscat, the new purpose-built space will include an EducationUSA library, a variety of classrooms and meeting spaces, two computer labs including one certified by Educational Testing Services in the U.S. for administration of the Internet-based TOEFL, a student lounge, and a large parking lot designated for AMIDEAST visitors.

The new premises — which will be open to the public on January 13 — are located next to Qalhat LNG on Al Jamia Al Akhbar Road connecting BankMuscat’s headquarters and the Grand Mosque.  AMIDEAST is currently planning a variety of activities to showcase the new facilities, including sample English language and entrepreneurship classes, a full day of educational advising workshops and special discounts and prizes. 

 “My colleagues and I are very excited about this new chapter in AMIDEAST’s history in the Sultanate,” said Sarah Jackson, AMIDEAST/Oman Country Director. “Our new location will enable us to serve Omanis living and working in the ever-growing areas of Seeb, Al-Khoudh, Al Hail and other neighborhoods, and will position us in the middle of Muscat’s emerging new hub along with Ministries, banks and other commercial entities, educational institutions and the future convention center.”

AMIDEAST signed of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Oman’s Ministry of Education in May 2007, establishing it as the first permanent resident international organization in the Sultanate.   The MOU was renewed in 2012, signed by the Minister of Education, Her Excellency Dr. Madiha Al Shaibaniya and AMIDEAST’s President and CEO, Ambassador Theodore Kattouf.   Programs and services in Oman include English language courses, professional skills workshops (including Project Management Professional, or PMP®), entrepreneurship training, administration of tests such as the TOEFL, GRE and SAT, test preparation courses, EducationUSA advising, administration of a variety of scholarship programs such as Fulbright, Youth Exchange and Study (YES) and Global Leaders, and community outreach initiatives.