2006 PRESS RELEASES

United States Gives $96,118 to Lebanese American University (LAU) for Student Scholarships

November 28, 2006

U.S. Undersecretary of State for Management Henrietta Fore and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman presented a check for $96,118 to Lebanese American University (LAU) President Joseph Jabbra for student scholarships, November 28, 2006. This donation pushes the total of the U.S. Government contribution to LAU's scholarship fund to $2 million, its largest single-year ever donation. These funds enable 155 Lebanese students from diverse regions of Lebanon to attend LAU—an opportunity they are able to realize through U.S. Government support. Students from all faculties benefit from this assistance by receiving partial coverage of their tuition fees.

At a gathering at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence, LAU students discussed the impact an LAU education has had on their lives and future aspirations with Undersecretary Fore. They discussed their studies and career objectives and how the U.S. funded scholarship enabled them to achieve their goals.

LAU recently received funding from the Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) to create a university partnership with Michigan State University (MSU). MSU and LAU will work together to create a model information and communications technology education program in Lebanon to strengthen the capacity for ICT training and to help Lebanese educators, particularly women, as they develop new strategies for teaching.

LAU also receives funding from the U.S. Government-funded American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) office. These funds enable LAU to enhance its learning facilities. USAID assistance promotes the value of American education and teaching methods through its support to four educational institutions in Lebanon: American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanese American University (LAU), International College (IC) and the American Community School (ACS). The U.S. Government’s support for LAU underscores the importance the United States accords to education, and its role in promoting a democratic and economically prosperous Lebanon.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked in Lebanon since 1951, funding development projects to benefit Lebanese citizens. USAID’s program promotes economic opportunities, job creation, good governance and environmental policies and practices in rural Lebanon. USAID provides $40 million assistance a year and works in partnership with U.S. and Lebanese organizations throughout the country. USAID strengthens the relationship between the people of Lebanon and the people of the United States, and promotes a shared vision of democracy and socio-economic development.

For more information about USAID’s projects in Lebanon, visit USAID’s website http://lebanon.usaid.gov.