AUB - Local News - July 2009

July 2009

AUB in the News - Local version

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July 2009

The Central News Agency of July 1 reported that the Worldwide Alumni Association of AUB (WAAAUB) announced the results of its second worldwide elections in which 41 members were elected to serve on various boards.
An-Nahar, As-Safir, Al-Anwar, Al-Bayraq, and The Central News Agency of July 1 reported on the AUB Alumni Association honoring ceremony for AUB alumni of the classes of 1934, 1939, 1959, and 1984, at Bristol Hotel Beirut. The papers said that the keynote speaker at the event was Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade Muhammad Safadi, and that among the dignitaries attending were HE Hussein Husseini, Minister of State for Administrative Development Ibrahim Shamsedine, and a number of members of parliament.
Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa, and The Central News Agency of July 1 published a summary of the contents of the recently published annual finance report by the Basil Fuleihan Economic and Financial Institute. The paper said that the report included a study presented by AUB's Department of Economics and the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs. The paper said that the study recommended limiting the value added tax on some goods and dropping the prices of consumer goods so as to help the low-income class in Lebanon.
Al-Mustaqbal of July 1 published a review and a recently published novel by Sahar Mandour called Hubb Bayrouti (Beirut Love). The paper said that the setting of the novel takes place in Ras Beirut, Hamra, and the neighborhood of AUB.
Al-Liwa and Al-Bayraq of July 1 carried the announcement by AUB that a memorial ceremony for its late President David Dodge (1922-2009) will be held on Monday, July 6, 2009 at 12:00 noon at Assembly Hall.
www.tayyar.org of July 1 and Al-Jareeda (Kuwait), The Central News Agency, An-Nahar, Al-Anwar, L'Orient-Le Jour, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa, Al-Bayraq, Al-Balad, Al-Qabas (Kuwait), and Al-Rai (Kuwait) of July 2 reported that four AUB students were held up last Wednesday by a group of gunmen in the mountainous region of Aqoura where they were conducting their course related fieldwork, and were released 90 minutes later by their captors in the nearby Homsya town after being stripped of their possessions. The papers carried the statement by AUB's Office of Information and Public Relations and the Protection Office saying that the students are in good health and unharmed.
The Central News Agency of July 2 carried the statement by Dean of Student Affairs at AUB Dr. Maroun Kisirwani regarding the four AUB students who were held up last Wednesday by a group of gunmen in the mountainous region of Aqoura while they were conducting their fieldwork. The Dean said that the students are in good health and unharmed, and that the university is following up on the matter with the security forces to find the culprits and will take future measures to prevent this incident from recurring.
An-Nahar and As-Safir of July 2 reported on a lecture given at the Issam Fares Institute for Lebanese Affairs by Terry Anderson, a world renowned foreign correspondent who had been kidnapped in Beirut during the war in 1985, on freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The paper said that Anderson is visiting Lebanon to help set up a journalism training program at the Issam Fares Institute of Public Policy and International Affairs at AUB.
An-Nahar of July 2 published an article by former head of the Lebanese Order of Physicians Mahmoud Chukair in which he lauded the humanitarian and caring traits of a medical student at AUB, Lana Ghandi Al-Halabi who asked at her wedding that in lieu of wedding gifts contributions should be made to the Saint Jude Children Cancer Center in Lebanon at AUBMC and to the Higher Metn Hospital.
As-Safir and Al-Akhbar of July 2 reported on a panel discussion held on June 30 at AUB entitled Housing, Land and Property Rights and Laws: Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon and the Case of Nahr el Bared. The papers said that the discussion, organized by the AUB Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, in collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and the Masters in Urban Planning and Policy and Urban Design (MUPP & MUD), included presentations by Lawyer and Author of the NRC report on Housing, Land and Property Rights Nizar Saghieh and Head of Nahr El Bared Reconstruction Commission Ismael Sheikh Hassan, and was moderated by Mona Fawaz, an assistant professor at AUB.
Al-Anwar of July 2 announced that AUB student Bassam Jalgha, won first prize of Stars of Science Competition, for his science project entitled Portable Automatic Tuner of String-Based Arabic Musical Instruments, also named Douzan---an automatic tuner that can tune any Arabic string instrument. The paper said that Stars of Science competition was held in Qatar during the past 4 months and aired on many regional TV channels. The paper also published a brief interview with Jalgha.
The Daily Star and Al-Bayraq of July 2 , Al-Mustaqbal of July 3 , and An-Nahar of July 6 carried the announcement by the American University of Beirut that the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut (WAAAUB) announced the results of its second worldwide elections in which 41 members were elected to serve on various boards.
The Daily Star and www.cyberia.com of July 2 published a political piece analyzing a possible Saudi-Syrian summit to be held in Damascus with a likely participation of Lebanon. The paper quoted Chafik Masri, an international law professor at AUB as saying Any relief or stabilization in the Syrian-Saudi relationship will be positively reflected in the Lebanese political life.
Al-Mustaqbal of July 2 published an opinion piece discussing the reasons behind the immigration of Lebanese youth. The paper gave the example of Makram Rabah, a former AUB student, who has recently published a book on the history of student activism at AUB.
Al-Liwa of July 2 reported on the recent musical release of an album by the Lebanese group The Kordz entitled "Beauty and the East." The paper said that The Kordz band members met when they were students at AUB.
The Central News Agency of July 2 reported that the Society for Progress and Innovation in the Near East (SPINE) and Boston University, in collaboration with AUB and other Lebanese universities, opened on July 2 their second two-day annual meeting on spinal and orthopedic disorders in Habtour Hotel, Beirut.
An-Nahar, As-Safir, Al-Anwar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa, and Al-Bayraq of July 3 reported on the Universal College of Aley graduation ceremony during which AUB President Peter Dorman was keynote speaker. The paper quoted President Dorman as saying let us also contemplate the prospect of a new national unity government in Lebanon, together with the remarkable speech by President Obama in Cairo just one month ago.
An-Nahar, As-Safir, Ad-Diyar, L'Orient Le Jour, Al-Liwa, Al-Bayraq, and Dar Al-Hayat (Britain) of July 3 carried the statement by Dean of Student Affairs at AUB Dr. Maroun Kisirwani regarding the four AUB students who were held up last Wednesday by a group of gunmen in the mountainous region of Aqoura while they were conducting their fieldwork for a geology course number 229 saying that the students are in good health and unharmed, and that the university is following up on the matter with the security forces to find the culprits, and will take future measures to prevent this incident from recurring.
The Central News Agency of July 6 announced that AUBMC and Clemenceau Medical Center which is affiliated with Johns Hopkins International (CMC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a new collaborative effort, setting the principles of cooperation between the two medical institutions. The paper said that collaboration will focus on clinical and academic aspects to help AUBMC and CMC enhance their delivery of high quality care.
An-Nahar, As-Safir, Al-Mustaqbal, and Al-Bayraq of July 3 and Al-Balad of July 7 announced that the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) and Clemenceau Medical Center affiliated with Johns Hopkins International (CMC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a new collaborative effort.
An-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, and Al-Bayraq of July 3 reported that the Lions Club held at the AUB Alumni headquarters an honoring ceremony for nursing students of high academic performance for this year. The paper said that among the honored students is AUB nursing student Rayyan Al-Dabbah.
Al-Akhbar of July 3 published an article assessing the status of COOP foundations in Lebanon on the occasion of the World Day for COOPs .The paper quoted Khalil Olleik, area manager of the agricultural project Ard wa Nas at AUB as saying that COOPs are facing various forms of regional and local competitions and challenges.
The Daily Star of July 3 reported that the Lebanese Internal Security Forces arrested late on Wednesday and early Thursday two members of a gang who ambushed and robbed, one day earlier, a group of six students from AUB in the mountainous region of Aqoura while they were conducting their fieldwork for a geology course number 229.
Al-Mustaqbal of July 3 reported that the Society for Progress and Innovation in the Near East (SPINE) and Boston University, in collaboration with AUB and other Lebanese universities, inaugurated on July 2 their second two day annual meeting in Beirut to present their most current concepts and techniques in the management of vast array of spinal disorders.
An-Nahar, Al-Akhbar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa, Al-Bayraq, and Awan (Kuwait) of July 4 reported that WAAAUB and AUB will hold on July 4, as part of AUB's Class Reunion 2009 weekend of July 3-6, a panel discussion entitled AUB Student Politics: Past and Present, reenacting a student tradition of The Speakers Corner at the University also known as Hyde Park for the first time after a 35 year halt. The papers said that the panel will be followed by the book signing of A Campus at War: Student Politics at the American University of Beirut 1967- 1975 by Makram Rabah. The papers also said that, Dean of Student Affairs Maroun Kisirwarni, former dean of student affairs Dr. Fawzi Al Hajj, former students Makram Rabah, Fuad Bawarshy, Maher N. Masri, Jack-Samir Ekmekji, and Mohammad Farid Mattar will partake in the discussion.
As-Safir of July 4 published an article featuring the renaissance of Hamra Street in Beirut which is bustling with restaurants, pubs, cafes, and bookshops. The paper gave the example of the Baysan bookshop which is located in an alley between Hamra Street and AUB.
As-Safir, Al-Anwar, Al-Liwa, and Al-Bayraq of July 4 , and An-Nahar of July 6 reported on the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut Class Reunion 2009 to honor its graduates of 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, and 2004. The paper said that the event featured a ceremony to honor those celebrating their silver (25th) and golden (50th) anniversaries (Classes of 1959 and 1984), held in Assembly Hall, and included speeches by WAAAUB President Khalil Mekkawi, MEA Chairman Mohamed Hout, and AUB Trustee Leila Sharaf.
Ad-Diyar of July 4 published an article about the old rail road running in various locations in Beirut and connecting it to other Arab capitals. The paper said that the rail road passed through Bliss Street along the American University of Beirut.
Al-Mustaqbal of July 5 reported on the launch of the newly established child entertainment program called Ibtisama: Entertainment Therapy for Children. The paper said that Ibtisama performers plan to visit pediatrics patients at various Lebanese hospitals including the St. Jude Children Cancer Center in Lebanon at AUBMC.
An-Nahar of July 6 reported that the Arab Forum for Environment and Development is holding its annual meeting for the first time in Beirut. The paper said that the AUB Olayan School of Business in a member of the forum.
An-Nahar of July 6 carried the announcement by the American University of Beirut that a memorial ceremony for its late President David Dodge (1922-2009) will be held on the same day at 12:00 noon at Assembly Hall.
The Daily Star, Al-Mustaqbal, and As-Safir of July 6 reported that the AUB Class Reunion 2009, the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut, and AUB organized on July 4 a panel discussion on AUB Student Politics: Past and Present, reenacting the student tradition of the Speaker's Corner at the University also known as Hyde Park. The papers said that event included brief speeches by some of the original student activists of the 1970s and a book signing of A Campus at War: Student Politics at the American University of Beirut 1967 - 1975 by Makram Rabah. The papers also said that the Worldwide Alumni Association of American University of Beirut organized the Speakers' Corner as part of its Class Reunion weekend held July 3-6.
Al-Liwa of July 6 reported that a Lebanese citizen named Abdallah Allawi was admitted to AUBMC emergency room after suffering from wounds following a murder attempt by his son.
An-Nahar of July 7 published an article arguin that the phenomenon of summer rain is not an anomaly; rather, it has occurred many times in the past. The paper said that according to archival references found at the American University of Beirut that date back to the year 1876, it has rained many recurrently in the summer in Lebanon.
An-Nahar and Al-Akhbar of July 7 reported that the AUB Class Reunion 2009, the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut, and AUB sponsored on July 4 a panel discussion on AUB Student Politics: Past and Present, reenacting the student tradition of the Speakers Corner at the University also known as Hyde Park. The papers said that event included brief speeches by some of the original student activists of the 1970s and a book signing of A Campus at War: Student Politics at the American University of Beirut 1967 - 1975 by Makram Rabah. The papers also said that the Worldwide Alumni Association of American University of Beirut organized the Speakers' Corner as part of its Class Reunion weekend held July 3-6.
An-Nahar of July 7 carried the announcement by the Islamic Organization for Orientation and Specialization calling for submissions to its university scholarship funds for the year 2009-10. The paper said that a requirement for qualification is acquiring an acceptance at a selected number of universities in Lebanon including the American University of Beirut.
An-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, and Al-Bayraq of July 7 reported on the concert featuring Magida El Roumi held at AUBs Green Field on Sunday July 5. The papers said that the concert was part of a series of activities organized by the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut on the occasion of the Class Reunion 2009. The papers also said that the concert attracted a number of Lebanese dignitaries including outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, former First Lady Leila Hrawi, Minister Tarek Mitri, Dr. Samir and Sittrida Geagea, MP Nayla Tueni, and Minister Muhammad Safadi.
As-Safir of July 7 published an interview with Lebanese poet Khatun Salma who has started writing her masters thesis on Sufism and Sufist poetry at the Department of Arabic and Near Easter Languages at AUB.
Al-Akhbar of July 7 published a review of AUB Alumnus Makram Rabahas newly published book A Campus at War: Student Politics at the American University of Beirut 1967-1975, which recounts the genesis and developments of student activism at the American University of Beirut with emphasis on its student council in the light of the underlying political scene in Lebanon and the Middle East.
Al-Akhbar of July 7 reported on the recent efforts by the Lebanese municipalities to combat the summer outburst of mosquitoes by spraying insecticides. The paper quoted AUB professor of biology Khuzama Knio as saying â??Those insecticides are very dangerous to the health and the municipality should warn citizens before spraying them so they can take necessary precautions such as closing their doors and windows.
Al-Akhbar of July 7 published a review of the recently published novel entitled Al-Kharaz Al-Mulawwan, or The Colored Beads, by Muhammad Salmawi, now available in French by Archipel press. The novel recounts the story of the plight of the Palestinian diaspora and forced migration across generations. The paper said that one of the characters in the novel is an Egyptian journalist Ismail Abu Jaber who was transferred to the American University of Beirut Medical Center after suffering from gunshot wounds.
Al-Anwar and Al-Liwa of July 7 reported that the AUB Class Reunion 2009, the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut, and AUB sponsored on July 4 a panel discussion on AUB Student Politics: Past and Present, reenacting the student tradition of the Speakers Corner at the University also known as Hyde Park. The papers said that event included brief speeches by some of the original student activists of the 1970s and a book signing of A Campus at War: Student Politics at the American University of Beirut 1967 - 1975 by Makram Rabah. The papers also said that the Worldwide Alumni Association of American University of Beirut organized the Speakers' Corner as part of its Class Reunion weekend held July 3-6. The papers said that the Class Reunion events included a concert by Magida El Roumy on July 5
The Daily Star of July 7 published a photo caption describing the Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut reception for the classes of 1984, 1959 and 1939-1934 at Le Bristol Hotel, Beirut. The paper said that among the guests attending were Hadi Hamasni, Darine Darwish, Hussein al-Husseini and Mounir Mekkaoui.
The Daily Star of July 7 published a political editorial on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent comments regarding Hizbullah's role in the forthcoming Lebanese cabinet. The paper quoted Ahmed Mousalli, professor of political science at AUB, as saying Netanyahu's comments were meant as a demonstration of strength in order to diminish Hizbullah's political legitimacy.
Al-Liwa of July 7 reported that AUB held its 140th commencement exercises on Saturday June 27, 2009 awarding 1673 diplomas to the class of 2009. The paper said that the keynote speaker at main graduation ceremony was outgoing chair of AUB's Board of Trustees Thomas Morris. The paper also said that among the Lebanese dignitaries and politicians attending the ceremony were MP Bahia Hariri representing Lebanese President HE Michel Suleiman, Minister Khaled Kabbani representing outgoing Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Minister Michel Mousa representing Speaker of the House Nabih Berri, board of trustees members Saad Hariri, the Prime Minister designate, and former Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The paper also said that earlier on the same day the University held its annual honorary doctorate awarding ceremony and the honorary doctorates went to Kuwaiti economist Abdalatif Yousef Al-Hamad, Egyptian research professor Farouk El-Baz, Lebanese singer Majida El Roumi, and Algerian world renowned radiologist Elias Zerhouni.
www.tayyar.org of July 7 published an article arguing that the phenomenon of summer rain in Lebanon is not an anomaly; rather, it has occurred many times in the past. The paper said that according to archival references at AUB and dating back to the year 1876, it has rained recurrently in summers in Lebanon.
As-Safir, Al-Anwar, The Daily Star, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa, and Al-Bayaq of July 8 reported on the memorial held at AUB on Monday July 6 in honor of David Dodge, AUB's 13th president, who passed away in January 2009 at the age of 86. The papers said that the ceremony was attended by MP Dr. Basem Shabb representing PM designate Saad Hariri. The papers also said that AUB president Peter Dorman, who is a distant cousin of Dodge, welcomed those attending the memorial, and quoted him as saying "in celebration of a man who devoted so many years to Lebanon and the Middle East." Among the speakers were two of Dodges daughters, Melissa and Nina, Dr. Huda Zurayk, and Dr. Samir Makdisi.
Al-Akhbar of July 8 published an interview with AUB Alumnus Makram Rabah, who recently published Campus at War: Student Politics at the American University of Beirut 1967-1975, about his experience as a student activist and the factors that influenced and directed his activism during his student days at AUB.
Al-Mustaqbal of July 8 reported that the Lebanese Internal Security Forces arrested two suspects accused with holding up four AUB students who were held up last Wednesday in the mountainous region of Aqoura while they were conducting their fieldwork for a geology course number 229.
The Central News Agency of July 6 and Ilaf (Britain) of July 8 reported on the concert given by Lebanese singer Majida Al-Roumi at AUB's Green Field on Sunday July 5.
Al-Akhbar of July 9 reported on the reasons behind the spread of wildfires in Lebanon's forests during the summer season. The paper mentioned the wildfire detector that was built by a team of scientists at AUB and quoted project supervisor AUB professor Imad Al Hajj as saying "The detector is still in trial use and will start providing data to relevant wildfire monitoring units within a month."
L'Orient-Le Jour of July 9 published an article arguing that Lebanon's fishermen in the Lebanese southern city of Tyre are struggling in their profession due to the polluted sea water and the ailing aquatic life. The papers quoted AUB professor of aquatic science Imad Saoud as saying "We are destroying our sea, completely and totally."
As-Safir, Al-Anwar, L'Orient Le Jour, The Daily Star, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa', Ad-Diyar, Al-Bayraq, and An-Nahar of July 14 published an in memoriam piece on Amin al-Hafez, Lebanon's former prime minister in 1973, who passed away on July 13. The paper said that al-Hafez taught business administration at a number of universities AUB.
The Daily Star of July 14 reported on the popularity of ice cream vendors in the Hamra area this summer. The paper gave the example of ice cream vendor Bliss House located on Bliss Street across from AUB
The Daily Star of July 14 published a political editorial on the occasion of the commemoration of the July 2006 war with Israel arguing that analysts see little chance of a war with Israel. The paper quoted Chafik Masri, an international law professor at AUB, as saying that "so long as reported violations of Resolution 1701 persisted, lasting peace between Lebanon and Israel would be difficult to achieve.
www.tayyar.org of July 14 published an article discussing recent armed car robberies in Lebanon including the one against four AUB students a few weeks ago.
An-Nahar of July 15 announced that the recently formed Lebanese Association for Mathematical Sciences is holding its first meeting at the Center for Advanced Mathematical Sciences at AUB on the same day at 10:00 am. The paper said that the among the objectives of the association is strengthening ties between mathematicians in Lebanon and abroad through a number of academic activities, and fostering continuous and sustainable collaboration with universities and governmental organizations such as the National Council for Scientific Research.
As-Safir of July 15 published a profile of MP (Future Party) Nuhad Al-Mashnuk. The paper said that he joined AUB as a student of political studies but left before receiving his degree form AUB for personal reasons.
As-Safir of July 15 featured the newly established child entertainment program called Ibtisama: Entertainment Therapy for Children. Ibtisama performers were visiting pediatrics patients at various Lebanese hospitals including the St. Jude Children Cancer Center in Lebanon at AUBMC. The paper said that Ibtisama is comprised of four entertainers who have undergone nursing training workshops at AUBMC.
Al-Akhbar of July 15, and Al-Anwar and Al-Akhbar of July 17 announced that Amin al-Hafez, Lebanon's former prime minister in 1973, passed away on July 13 and that condolences will be held at the American University of Beirut Alumni Association headquarters in Beirut on July 16-17.
An-Nahar of July 16 reported that the Lebanese American University granted Bassam Shakhashiri, a Lebanese American chemist, an honorary doctorate during its commencement exercises of 2009. The paper said that, during his acceptance speech, Shakhashiri, whose father was a doctor at AUBMC, recalled his student days at AUB and International College.
An-Nahar, Al-Anwar, Al-Mustaqbal, and Al-Liwa' of July 17 reported that groups of Lebanese politicians, including Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri, academics, businessmen, and clergymen flocked to the AUB Alumni Association headquarters to pay condolences to the family of Amin al-Hafez, Lebanon's former prime minister in 1973, who passed away on July 13.
As-Safir, The Daily Star, Al-Anwar and Al-Mustaqbal of July 17 reported on the celebratory dinner held on Wednesday night by AUB Nursing Services at Habtour Hotel, Beirut following the decision of the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program to award the American University of Beirut Medical Center Magnet designation thus recognizing its excellence in nursing services and care at the medical center making it the first in the Middle East and third in the world outside the United States to receive Magent designation. The papers said that a number of Lebanese dignitaries attended the dinner including Lebanese Minister of Health Muhammad Jawad Khalifeh and Dr. Bassem Al-Shab representing Lebanese PM designate Saad Hariri.
As-Safir, Al-Anwar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa', and Al-Bayraq of July 17 reported that the Women's Auxiliary of the American University of Beirut Medical Center held its annual Toy Tea Party at Marquand House during which scholarships, following donations made to the Women's Auxiliary, were awarded to 10 nursing students with high academic peformance at AUB. The papers said the program of the event included Indonesian musical interludes.
The Central News Agency of July 17 reported on the dinner given on Wednesday night by AUBMC's Nursing Services department at Habtour Hotel, Beirut following the decision of the American Nurses Credentialing Center to award the AUBMC the Magnet designation, thus recognizing its excellence in nursing services and care at the medical center and making AUBMC the first in the Middle East and third in the world outside the United States to receive the Magnet designation. The paper said that a number of Lebanese dignitaries attended the dinner including Lebanese Minister of Health Muhammad Jawad Khalifeh and Dr. Bassem Al-Shab representing Lebanese PM designate Saad Hariri.
Al-Anwar and Al-Mustaqbal of July 18 , and Al-Bayraq of July 20 reported that groups of Lebanese politicians, including Lebanese President HE Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, Minister of Culture Tarek Mitri, and Minister of Interior Ziad Baoud paid condolences to the family of Amin al-Hafez, Lebanon's former prime minister in 1973, who passed away on July 13. The paper said that the condolences were received at the AUB Alumni Association headquarters.
Al-Akhbar of July 22 reported that AUB professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences Jad Chaaban participated in the panel discussion entitled "Beirut Dialogue" whose theme addressed the challenges facing youth development and empowerment in the Arab world.
Al-Akhbar of July 22 reported on the money and finance conference entitled "The Role of Youth in Defining Lebanon's Future," held at the Movenpick Hotel, Beirut. The paper quoted General Manager of Al Mawared Bank and member of the political council of the Lebanese Democratic Party Marwan Kheireddine, who was a conference participant, as saying that universities in Lebanon are to blame for encouraging their graduates to seek jobs abroad, and that AUB is one of those universities.
www.tayyar.org of July 25 reported that Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri recently donated $20 million US dollars to Georgetown University in Washington DC of which he is an alumnus. The paper said that Hariri serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of AUB.
Al-Anwar, Al-Liwa', and Al-Mustaqbal of July 24 and Dar Al-Hayat (Britain) of July 28 reported that the Continuing Education Center at AUB graduated, in a ceremony on July 17, some 143 adult students and professionals, who were following programs in accounting, business, and marketing, as well as the newly-created human resources management program.
Al-Akhbar of July 24 published an article assessing the project for the reconstruction of the village of Bint Jbeil in South Lebanon whose buildings and architecture were destroyed following the July 2006 war. The paper said that this project, which is run by a group of engineers from AUB, aims at preserving the authentic feel of the village's architecture.
Al-Akhbar of July 24 reported that the cedar needle-eating pest, Cephalcia, whose outbreak causes have been discovered by an AUB-led scientific team, is being contained yet not completely eliminated in the cedar forest of Ehden in North Lebanon.
As-Safir and www.tayyar.org of July 27 published a profile interview with AUB alumna Nathalie Abu Chakra, a 22 year old and recipient of a BA in sociology from AUB, who traveled to Gaza during its siege in December 2008 where she assisted humanitarian aids groups without the knowledge of the Israeli authorities.
An-Nahar, As-Safir, Al-Anwar, The Daily Star, Al-Mustaqbal, and Al-Bayraq of July 28 carried the statement by AUB President Peter Dorman announcing that Professor Patrick McGreevy will serve as dean of the AUB Faculty of Arts and Sciences as of September 1, 2009. The papers said that McGreevy, a professor in the Department of History and Archaeology, joined AUB in 2004 as the director of the AUB Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's CASAR (Center for American Studies and Research) and that he is succeeding Khalil M. Bitar, who is stepping down after 12 years as dean. The papers also said that McGreevy, who received his PhD in Geography from the University of Minnesota in 1984, served as chair of the Department of Anthropology, Geography and Earth Science at Clarion University in Pennsylvania from 1991 to 2004.
The Daily Star and www.cyberia.com of July 28 published a political editorial arguing that a series of unexpected events---including the recent political post election turmoil in Iran, the defeat of the opposition party during the recent Lebanese parliamentary elections, and the munitions cache explosion on July 14 in Khirbet Selm---have created an awkward situation for Hizbullah this summer. The papers quoted Hilal Khashan, head of the department of political studies and public administration at AUB, as saying "Hizbullah cannot claim to be having a nice vacation Å , Hizbullah remains a powerful actor on the domestic scene, but what is more important than that is its connection to its regional patron. What has changed is not [Hizbullah's] status in Lebanon, but the support it gets from a regional partner."
Sana (Syria) of July 28, The Daily Star, An-Nahar, As-Safir, Al-Anwar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa', and Al-Bayraq of July 29, and The Gulf Today (UAE) of July 30 reported that the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) announced on Tuesday July 28 that its Board of Trustees has chosen Beirut as the venue for its annual conference, due to be held on November 14. The papers said that the conference will include the presentation of the results of a study of the impact of climate change on human health carried out by Dr. Iman Nuwayhid, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at AUB.
Al-Waqt (Bahrain) of July 28 published an article assessing the affiliations of universities in the gulf region with western or western style universities. The paper said that Dhofar University in Oman has made an agreement with AUB through which AUB provides academic and professional consultants to Dhofar University.
An-Nahar of July 29 published an article presenting a new medication to treat breast cancer. The paper said that the medication, which is still being tested on patients, treats cancerous cells by targeting their DNA structure. The paper derived this medical data after speaking with AUB professor of oncology Nagi Saghir, and from the recent findings of the American association for cancer treatment.
As-Safir of July 29 published an interview with Chairperson of the Free Gaza Movement and Palestinian activist and lawyer Huwaida Arraf on the blockade on Gaza. The paper said that Arraf recently gave a lecture at AUB.
Al-Akhbar and The Daily Star of July 29 reported that the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs and the Department of Political Studies and Public Administration at AUB on July 28 presented a lecture and open discussion with Huwaida Arraf, Chairperson of the Free Gaza Movement, and Adam Shapiro, Human rights activist and documentary filmmaker, entitled "The Free Gaza Movement: What we have Learned from Breaking the Siege, Confronting Israel."
Al-Akhbar and Al-Mustaqbal of July 29 and Al-Balad of July 30 reported on a lecture given by the Dean of AUB's Faculty of Health Sciences Iman Nuwayhid at the Bibneen Municipal Building on the findings of a study conducted by the AUB Faculty of Health Sciences in collaboration with the Bibneen municipality evaluating the quality of water resources and health at the village and suggesting possible solutions.
As-Safir, Al-Anwar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa', and Al-Bayraq of July 30 reported on the ceremony held at the government building in Beirut to award the 2009 Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research scholarships to 17 of this year's top ranking high school graduates who passed the Lebanese Baccalaureate Exams. The papers said six students benefiting from the scholarship will be pursuing their education at AUB. The papers also said that the ceremony was attended by care-taking Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Lebanese Minister of Education Bahia Hariri, President of the Administrative Board of the National Council for Scientific Research George Tohmeh, and the General Secretary of the National Council for Scientific Research Moueen Hamze.
Al-Jazirah (KSA), Al-Bilad (KSA), and The Saudi Press Agency (KSA) of July 30 announced that the King Saud University has been ranked among the top 200 universities in the world by an international Spanish university rating service called Wipo Matrix. The papers said that King Saud University topped many Arab and Middle Eastern universities in ranking, including AUB.
As-Safir, Al-Anwar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa', Ad-Diyar, and Al-Bayraq of July 31 announced the passing away of Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Elias Qurban of Tripoli at the age of 83. The papers said that Qurban pursued his graduate studies in history at AUB.
As-Safir of July 31 published an article investigating the reasons behind the enrollment among students in Lebanon in summer semesters at universities. The paper gave the example of students enrolled in summer courses at AUB.
As-Safir, Al-Anwar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa', and Al-Bayraq of July 31 carried the announcement by the American University of Beirut that the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR) has awarded two new grants supporting collaborative research initiatives at the Harvard Medical School (HMS) and the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC). The papers said that the 2009 grant recipients at AUB are Dr. Ghassan Dbaibo, a professor at AUBMC's Department of Pediatrics and a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases; Dr. Fadi Bitar, director of the Service of Pediatric Cardiology and associate professor of pediatrics; and Dr. Georges Nemer, an associate professor of biochemistry whose work focuses on the genetic and molecular bases of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in the Lebanese population. The papers also said that Dr. Rose-Mary Boustany, AUB professor of pediatrics and biochemistry, received the first DHFMR multi-year research grant to pursue her research on Batten Disease in 2008.
Al-Akhbar of July 31 published an opinion piece commenting on the recent 20 million US dollar donation made by the Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri, who serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of AUB, to Georgetown University in Washington DC of which he is an alumnus.
Al-Mustaqbal of July 31 carried the announcement by the AUB's Center for Nature Conservation and Sustainable Futures calling for participation in its indigenous tree plantation project "Seeds of Hope Trees of Tomorrow."