AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL
EDUCATION JOINS U.S.-UKRAINE BUSINESS COUNCIL
Leading Education, Training and Research Organization, Member 74
USUBC, Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The executive committee of the U.S.-Ukraine
Business Council (USUBC) is pleased to announce, on behalf of the
entire membership, American Councils for International Education: ACTR/
ACCELS, has been approved for membership in USUBC.  American
Councils has maintained a permanent representative office in Kyiv since
1991.

American Councils for International Education, a leading trans-national
not-for-profit education, training and research organization, develops and
implements innovative strategies for improving education and advancing
individuals, institutions and societies in a globalizing world.

Through activities spanning four decades and a dedicated team of over
370 professionals around the world, American Councils facilitates the
development of new perspectives, innovation in science and education,
trans-national collaboration among educational institutions at all levels,
and mutual understanding and tolerance among peoples.

Dr. Dan E. Davidson serves as president.  Dr. David P. Patton, Vice
President, will serve as the USUBC board member. Christina Pendzola-
Vitovych is the Country Director in Ukraine.

COLLABORATIVE AND PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS

American Councils develops collaborative and partnership programs
between individuals and institutions in the United States and the countries
of Eurasia and Eastern Europe, consults on project design and education
innovation programs, and actively contributes to the development of
Eurasian language and area studies in the United States.

To reflect the organization's development and expanded activities and
geographies, in 1998, the ACTR Board created a new organizational structure with a new name, American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS. ACTR and ACCELS are divisions of American Councils.

American Councils employs a full-time professional staff of over 370,
located in 40 cities in 24 countries of Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Asia and
the Middle East.

American Councils is supported with funding from public and private
sources, including the U.S. Agency for International Development; U.S.
Department of State; U.S. Department of Education; Library of Congress,
National Endowment for the Humanities, the governments of the Russian
Federation and Kazakhstan; the World Bank; Carnegie Corporation of
New York; Open Society Institute/Soros Foundations, and other
philanthropic donors.

USUBC MEMBERSHIP NOW TOTALS SEVENTY-FOUR

American Councils for International Education is the 74th member for USUBC, 22nd new member for 2008, and the 52nd new member since January of 2007.
The USUBC membership has more than tripled in the past 16 months, from
22 members in January of 2007 to 74 members in May of 2008.

The other new members in 2008 are MaxWell USA, Baker and McKenzie
law firm, Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, Dipol Chemical International,
MJA Asset Management, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Halliburton,
DLA Piper law firm, EPAM Systems, DHL International Ukraine, Air Tractor,
Inc., Magisters law firm, Ernst & Young, Umbra LLC., US PolyTech LLC,
Vision TV LLC, Crumpton Group, American Express Bank, a Standard
Chartered group company, TNK-BP Commerce LLC and Rakotis.  See
the complete list at: http://www.usubc.org/members.php.

"USUBC is very pleased to have American Councils for International
Education join our rapidly expanding membership," said Morgan Williams,
SigmaBleyzer, who serves as President of USUBC.  "USUBC looks forward
to working with American Councils for International Education in 2008."

AMERICAN COUNCILS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

American Councils is the worldwide leader in connecting people from the
U.S., Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Asia and the Middle East to learning - and to
each other. The organization operates study-abroad programs for students,
education professionals, independent scholars, and local leaders.

American Councils conducts research, publishes books, develops websites,
and serves an institutional role by holding conferences, administering
standardized tests, managing information centers, and consulting to
governments.  American Councils also develops and advocates policy on
language education around the world.

AMERICAN COUNCILS UKRAINE

American Councils first opened its doors in Ukraine in 1991. Since that
time, American Councils has administered numerous programs sponsored
by the U.S. Government, developed projects in civil society building, and
contributed to the development of standardized testing in Ukraine.  Their
staff of highly experienced professionals is trained to serve the Ukrainian
public in the field of educational exchanges between the U.S. and Ukraine.

HIGHER EDUCATION ADMISSIONS REFORM

In 2007 American Councils was designated by USAID as the technical lead
in the Ukrainian Standardized External Testing Initiative - a broad-based
initiative to standardize university admissions throughout the country.

The goal of the project is to support institutionalization of non-corrupt
admissions processes in Ukraine through the use of a high-quality, secure
standardized test as an authoritative part of decision-making in university
admittance.

In April 2007 the first national test was held and was considered an
unqualified success and will serve as a fair and transparent means for
university admissions for the next academic year and years to come.

STANDARDIZED TESTING

American Councils is a leader in the field of standardized testing, and has
been a longstanding partner of ETS. American Councils has administered
the TOEFL, SAT, GRE and GMAT exams in Ukraine since 1993.

Most recently, American Councils has embarked on the administration of the
TOEIC exam, which allows employers the opportunity to test and ascertain
the professional English language abilities of current and potential employees.

American Councils also offers the Institutional Testing Program-TOEFL
(ITP-TOEFL) exam to individuals and institutions (a service which includes
all aspects of test administration, and assists in obtaining preparation
materials.

CIPA-CAP
American Councils assisted in the establishment of CIPA-CAP testing for
international certification of public accountants from 2001 through 2004, as
a partner in the Ukraine Accounting Reform Project (UARP), funded by the
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). American Councils' staff
is trained in testing security, printing, proctoring, and reporting.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & YOUTH PROGRAMS

Future Leaders Exchange Program
This is a program for 9th and 10th graders that meet age requirements.
Participants are tested and interviewed by American representatives of
American Councils, and finalists receive scholarships for one academic year
of study in American high schools, and live with host families.

Open World
American Councils administers the Open World Program for emerging leaders
of Ukraine. Each year the program brings Ukrainian civic leaders and
professionals to the U.S. for short-term working visits with their American
counterparts.  Open World is a program of the Open World Leadership
Center, and is funded by the U.S. Library of Congress.

Customized Professional Development Programs
Each year American Councils designs and administers variable length programs
for professionals in interested in learning about and adapting U.S. best
practices in their workplaces.  Programs have been delivered in a wide
variety of areas including business, assessment, NGO management, academic
administration and others.  These programs feature both theoretical and
practical work draw on the vast wealth of resources and experts that the
U.S. has to offer.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Education USA
Since 1994, American Councils has administered the International Educational
Advising Center (IEAC), an Education USA network center, also funded by
ECA, in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The IEAC holds lectures on the process of applying to U.S. colleges and
universities, and offers other services to Ukrainian citizens interested in
U.S. educational opportunities.  The IEAC can also assist Ukrainian
educational institutions in developing partnerships with U.S. institutions.

PROGRAM ALUMNI

Over 5,000 participants of U.S. Government-sponsored programs from Ukraine
have studied in the U.S. through American Councils' programs. Apart from the
programs listed above, American Councils also administered the Fulbright
Program, the Junior Faculty Development Program, the Regional Scholars
Exchange Program, the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program, and
the FSA Undergraduate Exchange Program.

American Councils' work with participants does not end after they finish
their program in the U.S.  Upon completing a program, participants become
'alumni' of the program, and American Councils actively continues contact
with them through established programs and dynamic websites for alumni to
continue to communicate with American Councils, and each other.

Also, by organizing activities such as seminars, conferences, trainings,
roundtable discussions, panel discussions, and supporting alumni
initiatives, American Councils builds on the alumni's U.S. experience to
support their efforts in working toward the establishment of democratic
principles, civil society, and a market economy in Ukraine.

Alumni Successes
American Councils believes in the strength and ability of each alumnus to
make a difference in bringing about mutual understanding and cooperation
between Ukraine and the international community. Through the sharing of
their experiences, professional growth and community service, many alumni
have contributed to furthering democracy in their home countries and
throughout the world.

The Alumni Resource Center
In 2002, with support from the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in
Kyiv, American Councils Established the Kyiv Alumni Resource Center for
U.S. Government Sponsored Alumni (ARC).

The goal of the Alumni Resource Center is to strengthen alumni activity in
Ukraine, and will be open to all individuals who have participated in U.S.
Government-sponsored programs.

PROGRAMS & OPPORTUNITIES FOR U.S. CITIZENS 

Student and Scholar Programs
American Councils also administers programs that bring students, researchers
and scholars from the U.S. to Ukraine.  Participants study and pursue
research in a variety of host institutions throughout Ukraine.  Participants
are given the opportunity to live with host families and their study and
research programs are supported by the Kyiv office.  For more information
on Ukraine-based study and research programs, contact:
Shikova@americancouncils.org.

Host Families
Often, these individuals are placed in host families. If you would like to
host a U.S. student, or know someone who does, contact American Councils
by phone, e-mail or fax, at 202.833.7522; general@americancouncils.org, or
202.872.7523.

Logistics
American Councils can assist with logistical arrangements for individuals
and groups travelling from the U.S. to Ukraine for educational purposes.

Short-Term Opportunities
Throughout the year, American Councils seeks U.S. specialists in the field
of education to serve on selection committees and as trainers.

Internships for Ukrainian Students
American Councils also hosts an Internship Program for Ukrainian students
who know English, and are interested in developing their professional
skills. The Internship Program is run on a six-month basis, January through
June, and again from July through December. Interns receive training in
December and June.

Interns are later able to list the opportunity on their résumés, use the
experience toward "praktika" at their institutions, and receive a letter of
recommendation.

More information can be found at: www.americancouncils.org and at
http://www.americancouncilskyiv.org.ua/.