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, - 11 - Is one of the most significant aspects of the Center's p~gram and Is en­couraged In every possible way. The Center has found that any research project Is 'enrIched by a bl-cultural approach, with a local scholar bring­Ing to the work hIs knowledge of the language and an Invaluable Insight Into local InstItutIons and customs whIle the outside scholar, well-traIned In research techniques, provIdes the objectivity necessary for scholarly synthesis. The Center tries to encourage and stimulate research In the Middle East In a number of ways. Middle Eastern social scientists from other unI­versIties are frequently Invited to collaborate wIth Center staff members on specIfic research projects, and social scIentists from abroad, on sabbatIcal leave, are often InvIted to affIliate themselves to the Center, either to participate In a team research project or to aval' themselves of the Center's research facIlities In Independent work. VisIting scholars who are in Egypt for a short perIod of time and who wish to explore re­search opportunities In the area, are offered lIaIson and public relations servIces, technical assistance, and advIce and guIdance with respect to local conditions. In addition to assIsting those scholars present ·ln Egypt, the Center also answers a large number of written requests for Infonmatlon on research conditIons In the area from other research Institutions, both In Egypt and abroad, and from IndIvidual scholars and students. Training Program Research training Is of primary Importance at the Center. The ful1- time junior staff members of the C.nter work under the guidance of senior staff members on any project they are assIgned to. They are considered research trainees and are given responsIbilitIes In gathering data, coding, tabulating, translating, and Interpreting. Short-tenm temporary junIor staff members, who are hired whenever a large number of workers are needed for brief periods of Intensive interviewing, are also Instructed In socIal science techniques and methodology. To American University In Cairo graduate students In the Department of SocIology-Anthropology, the Center offers Instruction In guided research during the last semester of their course work but prior to the writing of their theses. This course alms at giving the graduate student practical training In the various techniques and methods of research and guidance In the planning of research projects for their M.A. theses. The M.A. theses are mainly the responsIbility of the Soclology-Anthropology Department, but the research for these theses Is usually undertaken withIn the framework of the Center's research projects. MA. and Ph.D. candidates In the Social Sciences at Egyptian univer­sities also receive training In research methods and techniques under the guidance and supervision of the Center staff, and are given an opportunIty to undertake research at the Center for their own dIssertations. Other trainees Include students from abroad who are In Egypt by virtue of scholarship or grant funds and are doing research either f~r an M.A. or Ph.D. thesis within a Center project, or receIving technica