Check Archive

November 2009

•  People’s Daily Online of November 9 published a political piece discussing Israel’s concern for its security on its borders with Lebanon following Hizbullah’s entry into the new Lebanese government. The paper quoted American University of Beirut professor of political studies Hilal Khashan as saying, “Israel will go to war against Hizbullah because of its perception of the latter's threat against the Jewish state, and not because Hizbullah has won a few portfolios in [Prime Minister] Saad Hariri's forthcoming cabinet.” Full article available at: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/6808267.html
• Network World Middle East and TMC.net of November 11 reported that the American University of Beirut is combating increasing network security threats through a “master plan and a fortified security architecture.” The paper said that with the increasing demand for remote access of services by students and faculty, along with the change in the type of content and mode of net use, AUB’s Computing and Networking Services saw it best to re-architect its Internet connectivity design. Full articles available at: http://www.networkworldme.com/v1/news.aspx?v=1&nid=3417&sec=casestudies
• http://healthcare.tmcnet.com/news/2009/11/11/4474810.htm
• Silo Breaker of November 11 reported that the philanthropic division of Citi, Citi Foundation, recently granted financial aid programs at the American University of Beirut, Lebanese American University, and Université Saint Joseph funds to benefit over 30 students enrolled in the academic year of 2009-10. Full article available at: http://www.silobreaker.com/citi-foundation-marks-a-decade-of-support-in-lebanon-with-grants-exceeding-500000-5_2262731684422090794
• IOS Press of November 11 announced the issuance of the International Journal of RF Technologies: Research and Applications, and said that American University of Beirut professor Roberto E. Nelson is serving on its editorial board. Full article available at: http://www.iospress.nl/loadtop/load.php?isbn=17545730
• The Free Library of November 11 published a political editorial by Jihad Al-Khazen in which he recounts his memories of the writings of Jordanian politician and diplomat, Hazem Zaki Nasiba, on the Palestine question. Al-Khazen said that Nasiba completed his undergraduate studies at the American University of Beirut before moving to the United States where he received a PhD from Princeton University. Full article available at: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Ayoon+Wa+Azan+(+A+Thief+from+Moldova+...+Claims+Ownership+of+the+Land...-a0211777930
• The Free Library of November 12 reported that the American University of Beirut is combating increasing network security threats through fortified security architecture. The paper said that with the increasing demand for remote access of services by students and faculty, along with the change in the type of content and mode of net use, AUB’s Computing and Networking Services saw it best to re-architect its Internet connectivity design. Full article available at: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Security+lesson.-a0211778235
• The New York Times of November 13, and History News Network (HNN) of November 14 published an opinion piece by the Director of the Issam Fares Institute of Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut, Rami Khouri, entitled “Arab Autocracy,” in which he argues that the fall of the Berlin Wall, which signifies the transition from total state control to human freedom, has “bypassed the Arab world.” Full articles available at:

  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/opinion/14iht-edkhouri.html?ref=global

  http://hnn.us/roundup/entries/119930.html

• The New York Times and the International Herald Tribune of November 13 published an editorial commenting on the student political movements in various universities in Lebanon and their respective activities during the recent student election campaigns. The paper said that even though a silent majority of young people across the Arab world are fed up with the “cults of personality and sectarian agendas” that have dominated politics, there is little sign of that on Lebanese campuses since political parties put tremendous energy into recruiting youth. The papers also gave the relevant example of the American University of Beirut in the 1960s and 1970s “where support flourished for the Palestinians and various leftist causes and parties.” Full article available at:

  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/world/middleeast/14lebanon.html?ref=world

• SoMdNews.com of November 13 announced that writer Kathryn Abdul-Baki recently published her new novel entitled The Sands of Zulaika, which recounts the story of an American couple who works and lives in the Persian Gulf. The paper said that Abdul-Baki attended the American University of Beirut for two years and received a bachelor's degree in journalism from George Washington University and a master's in creative writing from George Mason University. Full article available at: http://www.somdnews.com/stories/11132009/indyfea175309_32191.shtml

• Silobreaker of November 13 reported on the first conference held by the Lebanese Society of Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disorders (OSTEOS) during which it announced its new osteoporosis prevention and treatment program and fracture risk calculator called FRAX Lebanon. The paper said that FRAX came to Lebanon as a result of the efforts of AUBMC doctor and President of OSTEOS Ghada Hajj Fuleihan and the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, and that this facility can be accessed at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Full article available at: http://www.silobreaker.com/fracture-risk-assessment-calculator-now-available-at-aubmc-5_2262736954346962946

• The Palestine Chronicle, Countercurrents, and Counterpunch of November 13, Uruknet of November 14, Scoop of November 15, and Al-Manar of November 16 published a political editorial by Middle East researcher Franklin Lamb in which he hoped that the US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Sisson would pass along to US President Barack Obama some recommendations made by students from the American University of Beirut who conducted a seminar recently to discuss US policy in the Levant. Full articles available at:

  http://www.palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=15546

  http://www.almanar.com.lb/NewsSite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=111409&language=en  

• The New Nation of November 14 and Silobreaker of November 15 announced that Banglalink appointed Nizar El-Assaad as it IT director. The papers said that Assaad graduated from the American University of Beirut with a BS in computer science in 1992. Full articles available at:

  http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/11/14/news0545.htm

  http://www.silobreaker.com/banglalink-appoints-new-it-director-5_2262740321601323036

• CNN International of November 16 reported on the popular nargileh smoking in Lebanon and the recent efforts done by certain groups advocating a smoke free environment in public places. The paper referred to a research conducted at the American University of Beirut that indicates smoking water-pipe is as harmful if not more harmful than cigarette smoke, and leads to higher risks of mouth, throat, and stomach cancer. Full article available at: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/11/16/lebanon.smoking.ban/index.html

• Epinions of November 16 published a review of Rabih Alameddine’s novel The Hakawati and said that story’s protagonist Baybars was inspired by another hakawati's book given to him by the American University of Beirut. Full article available at: http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_The_Hakawati_Rabih_Alameddine/content_492013391492

• Designboom of November 17 reported on the Abu Dhabi Art Fair of 2009 in which included the participation of the art studio Bojka Design. The paper said that Bojka Design is owned by Huda Baroudi, who studied at the American University of Beirut, and Maria Hibri who also studied at AUB and the Lebanese American University. Full article available at: http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/8202/design-moment-at-abu-dhabi-art-fair-09.html

• HNN of November 18 published a political editorial by Director of the American University of Beirut’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs Rami Khouri entitled, “The world tires of the Palestinian cause,” in which he argues Arabs and their governments seem “fed up with the incompetence of the Palestinian leadership, while remaining strongly committed emotionally to the justice and rights of the Palestinian cause.” Full article available at: http://hnn.us/roundup/entries/120192.html

• Time Higher Education of November 19 announced that professor Zahir Iran of Brunel University was recently awarded £181,400 through the EU. The paper said that Professor Irani will be working with colleagues form the American University of Beirut and the Turksat on a research project entitled “Citizen-oriented Evaluation of eGovernment Services: a reference process model.” Full article available at:

  http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=409136&c=1

• Individual.com and The Daily Star of November 19 reported that researchers at the American University of Beirut’s Department of Health Behavior and Education will announce the results of a study entitled “Results of the Qualitative Study Evaluating the Implementation of Smoke Free Policies in Public Places in Lebanon” at Beirut’s Gefinor Rotana Hotel on November 20 on the topic of the partial success of the smoking bans campaigns at restaurants and bars. The paper quoted assistant professor of research at AUB’s Center for Research on Population and Health who helped with the study Rima Nakkash as saying “We want to have smoke-free policies in Lebanon but many people are skeptical [of] whether it will happen or not.” Full article available at:

  http://www.individual.com/story.php?story=110488492

• Post Gazette of November 22 published a commentary piece by Paul Salem in which he highlights the threats of educational poverty in the Arab world and criticizes world governmental and non-governmental organizations in dealing with the issue. Salem said that despite the fact that the American University of Beirut positively contributes to the region due to the education it provides, it still receives limited funds by the US government, which allocates more funds to armies and weaponries in the region. Full article available at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09326/1015098-109.stm?cmpid=newspanel

• The Daily Independent of November 23 published an obituary of Dr. Oskar Peter Friedlieb who passed away on November 20 at the age of 85. The paper said that Friedlieb has a medical degree from the American University of Beirut. Full article available at: http://www.dailyindependent.com/obituaries/local_story_327224739.html

• Beliefnet News and 4GWE of November 23 reported on the new Arabic comic book series The 99 by clinical psychologist Dr. Naif al-Mutawa. The papers said that Mutawa was recently invited by the American University of Beirut’s Center for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies and Research to lecture about the series. Full story available at: http://4g-wirelessevolution.tmcnet.com/news/2009/11/23/4497275.htm

• Europe News of November 24 reported on the new Arabic comic book series The 99 by clinical psychologist Dr. Naif al-Mutawa. The paper said that Mutawa was recently invited by the American University of Beirut’s Center for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies and Research to lecture about his book series.

  Full article available at: http://europenews.dk/en/node/27765

• Red Tram of November 25 published an article featuring the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered at the American University of Beirut’s Hariri School of Nursing.

  Full article available at: 

  http://en.redtram.com/go/232080844/

• Euronews of November 27 and Bridging the Straits of November 27 reported on the recent financial crisis that hit Dubai following the request of Dubai World, Dubai's government-owned investment company, to defer the due date for the payment of its debts to May 2010. The papers quoted Kamel Wazne, an economic analyst from the American University of Beirut, as saying, “The city-state's debt problems are not unusual.”

  Full article available at:

  http://eng.wcetv.com/1/2009/11/28/241s20807.htm

• The Los Angeles Times of November 29 published a profile of American University of Beirut alumnus who graduated with a BE in 1986, Emile Haddad. The paper said that Haddad struck a new financing deal that was approved by Irvine for the site of the former El Toro Marine Corps base which will be developed as a mixed-use site where people “walk more and drive less.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik30-2009nov30,0,7893019.column