press releases 2008

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a. i. Michele J. Sison Presents Scholarship Funding to The Lebanese American University

April 17, 2008

Chargé Sison with the LAU students...

Yesterday, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a. i. Michelle J. Sison presented a check for $1.7 million to Dr. Joseph Jabbra, the president of the Lebanese American University (LAU), to finance scholarships for more than 265 students.  This funding, provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was the last installment of the $2.4 million allocated by the U.S. Congress for the academic year 2007-2008. 

Dr. Jabbra, accompanied by five LAU students who received scholarships, met with the Chargé in her office.  During the meeting, the Chargé discussed the students’ course work with them and their future plans.  She emphasized that “having an education opens doors.  I know you are benefiting from this scholarship assistance and you will be able to strengthen the ties between Lebanon and the United States.”

In the last ten years, the American people, through the Congress of the United States, have contributed over 90 million dollars to Lebanese education.  These funds allow students from throughout Lebanon to study and ultimately contribute to the continuous development of Lebanon.  The U.S. has contributed assistance to support all levels of Lebanese education through the Department of State, USAID, the well-known J. William Fulbright program and the Middle East Partnership Initiative.