A group of eight student teachers and two tutors from St Mary's and Stranmillis University Colleges are presently on a one-week study trip in Saudi Arabia. They are participating in the Connecting Futures Programme, a British Council initiative which aims to build mutual understanding, learning and respect between young people with different cultural backgrounds. The group will visit King Faisal University and Al-Ahsa Teacher Training College, as well as schools in Dhahran. Both the Belfast Colleges have hosted groups of Saudi student teachers in recent years through Connecting Futures. Dr Niall Coll from St Mary's stated that “the study tour to Saudi Arabia will assist our student teachers to develop inter-cultural learning which is so important in a world of cultural difference”. For further information contact Mr Peter Finn Tel: 02890 268300.