Omar Mohammad Muammar is an assistant manager for scientific affairs at King Abdulaziz Foundation for the Gifted, a nonprofit organization that identifies and serves gifted students.

"I wanted to come to Ball State because of the good reputation of the Teachers College and the Indiana Academy among U.S. institutions involved in gifted education," said Muammar.

"My foundation is considering a residential school for the gifted," said Muammar. "I hope to use the Indiana Academy as a model and adapt it to our culture, educational system and other factors, to create a residential school suitable for my home country."

Muammar received his undergraduate degree in Saudi Arabia and earned his master's degree in gifted and talented education from Arabian Gulf University at Bahrain. He will continue researching at Ball State until August.

The Fulbright Scholar Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State. Approximately 800 visiting scholars received awards to come to the U.S. as researchers this year.

By Jennifer Seal, Graduate Assistant

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Muammar by e-mail at ommuammar@bsu.edu).