DEARBORN — On June 20, six delegates from universities in Yemen visited Henry Ford Community College (HFCC), under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, which was arranged by Graduate School USA.

The delegates visited HFCC to learn about potential study partnerships between higher education institutions and the public sector, explore state government regulations of higher education, analyze the financial management of higher education and examine the effectiveness of international education models. 

Yemen Delegates take a picture with HFCC faculty.

The six delegates who visited HFCC were Hamoud Ahmed Al-Dafiry, the deputy rector for Academic Affairs at Sana’a University; Ahmed Yahya Al-Gomari, rector of Hajjah University; Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hadhrani, rector of Dhamar University, Abdulhakim Ahmed Sallam Al-Shargabi, rector of Sana’a University; Mohammed Mohammed Saeed Al-Shauiby, rector of Taiz University; and Hussein Omer Kadi, rector of Hodeidah University.

Dr. Hachem Al-Tawil, professor and chair of the Art History Area Study at HFCC was closely involved with the initiative and says that the purpose of the visit was for HFCC to build connections with universities in Yemen. The college has a high population of Yemeni-American students and is looking to offer more resources to them.

During their visit, the delegates were given the opportunity to tour the English International Language Institute, where ESL programs are offered.  This specific program was explored, as delegates may consider sending professors from Yemen to learn English here in the future.

While the initiative is still in its early stages, HFCC is preparing a committee that would establish ties with the University of Sana’a, with the hope of up-starting a student exchange and study abroad program in the future. 

Delegates and State Department officials met with HFCC President Dr. Stan Jensen to discuss the possible partnership and are expected to make more announcements in the future, as details are finalized.