Dr. Myers from Youngstown State University Ohio meets SLIIT, Asian Intl. and Lyceum administrators

Dr. Nathan Myers, the Associate Provost of International Initiatives at Youngstown State University Ohio, spoke to leading administrators from several local educational institutions during a recent breakfast meeting held at Shangri-La, Colombo.

The attendees of the meeting were Asian International School Principal Harshana Perera, Lyceum International School Panadura Principal Malith Kumarasinghe and SLIIT Dean Faculty of Education Dr. Malitha Wijesundara. 

Dr. Myers is leading Youngstown State on a multi-year internationalisation effort that involves all facets of the university, including campus life, curriculum, enrollment and international study opportunities. One key component of his work is the development of global strategic partners that increase the scope and quality of the Youngstown State University experience.

Prior to his role at Youngstown, Dr. Myers served as Executive Director of International Programs at Ashland University as well as holding a professorship in education.

Dr. Myers possesses a Ph.D. In Educational Policy and Evaluation from the University of Kentucky. He has also completed training as an F-1 and J-1 immigration advisor, giving Dr. Myers a complete set of tools to advise students, their families and university partners on the possibilities and promise of a global higher education.

The discussion mainly centered around the need to make Lankan teachers globally employable. Both Harshana and Malith shared their experiences at top international schools where the need for quality teachers is much felt and Malitha revealed the SLIIT initiative was to cater to the existing demand. 

Dr. Myers suggested many ways that Youngstown State could provide its expertise to make the SLIIT initiative globally recognised.

Dr. Myers visited Colombo on the invitation of YSU’s sole representative in Colombo Scholarships for USA Ltd. SUSA is the only Lankan recruiter which works exclusively with US colleges and universities. Passionately committed to make US education accessible and affordable to the largest number of Lankan youth since 2001, it has succeeded in placing over 300 students across the island including those from Jaffna and Ampara during the civil war. 

Stepping out of a traditional recruiter role, SUSA has initiated nearly 15 International collaboration agreements between its US partners and Lankan universities - both public and private - paving the way for more students to benefit from locally delivered US education.