AUB - Local News - March 2011

Check Archive

March 2011

Ad-Diyar, As-Safir, and Al-Bayraq of March 1 carried an announcement by the AUB Tobacco Control Research Group, Free Life without Smoking foundation, and IndyAct regarding last revisions being made to the draft law banning smoking in public spaces before its presentation for approval at parliament.
Al-Liwa’ of March 1 reported that AUBMC doctor Naji Saghir will be giving a lecture on breast cancer at the Movenpick Hotel.
Al-Afkar of March 1 reported that Nelson press recently published a book by Michel Geha entitled Wujuh Nayyira which features 25 academics who helped in the educational and cultural development of the American University of Beirut. The paper also published a review of the book.
Al-Anwar, Al-Akhbar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa’, An-Nahar, and Ad-Diyar of March 2 reported on the 11th round of the Bank of Beirut Rugby League Championship in which the American University of Beirut participated and tied with Jounieh team.
The Daily Star of March 2 published a political piece on the challenges and “new possibilities” for the March 14 coalition. AUB professor of political studies Farid al-Khazen said, “The new March 8 parliamentary majority was unlikely to take much notice of popular demonstrations.”
Full article available at:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=125487
The Daily Star, Al-Mustaqbal, and An-Nahar of March 2 carried the announcement by the American University of Beirut’s Tobacco Control Research group and other nongovernmental organizations advising Parliament’s Administration and Justice Committee “not to take advantage of the people’s preoccupation with current political events in order to influence the content of a bill to ban smoking in public places.”
Al-Akhbar of March 3 published a commentary from AUB on the fact that the Lebanese parliament has not yet passed the bill to ban smoking in public places in Lebanon.
Al-Anwar of March 3 reported that Nelson press recently published a book by Michel Geha entitled Wujuh Nayyira which features 25 academics who helped in the educational and cultural development of the American University of Beirut. The paper also published a review of the book.
The Daily Star, Al-Liwa’, and Al-Jamhuriyya of March 4 reported on a seminar given by international tobacco control policy expert Wardie Leppan at the AUB Faculty of Health Sciences. He warned of the effects of tobacco farming on farmers’ health and the environment, dismissing claims that tobacco production benefits the economy.
Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa’, Al-Anwar, An-Nahar, and Al-Bayraq of March 4 reported on a lecture organized by the AUB Olayan School of Business and Bisharaf organization for academic integrity given by the head of the University of Rutgers Center for Academic Integrity Professor Donald Mac Cabe.
Ad-Diyar of March 4 carried the announcement by the American University of Beirut’s Tobacco Control Research group and other nongovernmental organizations advising parliament’s Administration and Justice Committee “to take advantage of the people’s preoccupation with current political events in order to influence the content of a bill to ban smoking in public places.”
Ad-Diyar of March 4 reported that a leader in the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood was denied a visa to Lebanon where he was planning on receiving medical treatment at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.
The Daily Star of March 4 reported on the dissatisfaction of university students with the performance of their representatives in student councils. It gave the example of students from various universities in Lebanon, including the American University of Beirut.
Zawya, L’Orient Le Jour, The Daily Star, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa’, Al-Anwar, As-Safir, and Al-Bayraq of March 5 and AME Info of March 7 reported that the American University of Beirut signed multi-year cooperation agreements with two leading Lebanese banks, Fransabank and BLOM, to help provide students with low-rate loans that can be repaid up to 11 years after graduation.
Full article available at:
http://www.ameinfo.com/258399.html
http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS05032011_dsart68
As-Safir and Ad-Diyar of March 5 reported that AUB professor of geology Ali Haidar participated in a seminar on oil and gas in the Middle and Near East, which was organized by Kaslik University.
The Daily Star of March 5 reported on a lecture given at AUB by Joe F. Khalil, visiting assistant professor at the Northwestern University in Qatar, entitled, “The Making and Unmaking of Uprisings: Reflections on Youth-Generated Media.”
The Daily Star of March 7 published an article commenting on the rise of unemployment in Lebanon and experts’ call for greater support for entrepreneurs. AUB Director of the Entrepreneurship Initiative at the American University of Beirut Tony Feghali said, “We’re now telling young people that instead of looking for a job, try to make jobs for yourselves.”
As-Safir of March 7 reported that the levels of vitamin D among the elderly in Lebanon are low. The paper quoted a respective study conducted by AUBMC professor Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan, which yielded that among the 316 elderly subjects involved in the study the vitamin D levels were low.
Al-Anwar, Al-Liwa’, and As-Safir of March 8 and An-Nahar and Al-Mustaqbal of March 9 reported that the American University of Beirut signed a multi-year cooperation agreement with BLOM Bank to help provide students with low-rate loans that can be repaid up to 10 years after graduation.
L’Orient Le Jour of March 8 reported on Al-Bustan Festival 2011 concert by cellist Guatier Capucon that took place at AUB.
Al-Jamhuria of March 8 carried the announcement by the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut that it will be holding two seminars, “Violence against Workers at Lebanese Emergency Departments: Prevalence, Characteristics and Associated Factors” by Assistant Professor Mohamad Alameddine and “Discrimination and Poor Mental Health: Does Whiteness Matter for Arab Americans?” by Assistant Professor Sawsan Abdulrahim on March 9, 2011.
The Daily Star and Al-Mustaqbal of March 8 reported that the American University of Beirut signed a multi-year cooperation agreement with Fransabank to help provide students with low-rate loans that can be repaid up to 10 years after graduation.
Al-Akhbar of March 8 published the schedule of spring events taking place at the American University of Beirut.
Al-Jamhuriyya, Ad-Diyar, Al-Mustaqbal, and An-Nahar of March 9 reported on the twelfth round of the Bank of Beirut Rugby League Championship part of which took place at the American University of Beirut.
As-Safir of March 9 reported on the launch of the Israeli apartheid week in several cities in the world and said that the American University of Beirut will hold events on this occasion.
Naharnet of March 9 reported that the American University of Beirut signed multi-year cooperation agreements with two leading Lebanese banks, Fransabank and BLOM, to help provide students with low-rate loans that can be repaid up to 10 years after graduation.
Full article available at:
http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/60CA2CC731FB83DAC225784E003F3546?OpenDocument
As-Safir of March 10 published the launch of a study conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center on the genetic predisposition for breast cancer.
As-Safir of March 10 reported on a study conducted by the Beirut Open University which yielded that the majors chosen by university students are predominantly the ones that would secure them a job in the current job market. The paper said that the study focused on university students in Lebanon including ones from the American University of Beirut .
Al-Akhbar of March 10 reported on the start of the Israeli apartheid week in several cities in the world and said that the American University of Beirut will hold events on this occasion.
Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa’, An-Nahar, Al-Jamhuriyya, Al-Anwar, Ad-Diyar, Al-Bayraq, and As-Safir of March 10 reported that outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri received a delegation from the American University of Beirut Olayan School of Business.
The Daily Star of March 10 reported that researchers at the American University of Beirut Medical Center have been awarded a $250,000 grant to conduct research on breast cancer aiming to “determine the prevalence, penetration and clinical impact” of breast cancer in the country.
Al-Anwar, An-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, and Ad-Diyar of March 11 reported that the head of the AUB athletics department Ghaleb Halimi will hold a press conference on March 11 to announce the forthcoming second annual international university sports tournament to take place on campus from March 23 to March 26.
Al-Akhbar of March 11 reported that outgoing minister of information Tarek Mitri applied to teaching positions at a number universities in Lebanon including the American University of Beirut because he decided to quit politics.
An-Nahar of March 11 reported that the Ministry of the Economy and Trade / Consumer Protection Directorate, in collaboration with the AUB Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, and the Lebanese Association for Food Safety are holding the Consumer Protection and Food Safety Symposium on March 15, 2011 at the Faculty.
Al-Bayraq, Al-Anwar, As-Safir, Al-Akhbar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Jumhuriyya, Ad-Diyar, and Al-Bina’ of March 12 reported on a press conference held by the AUB Athletics Department during which it announced its forthcoming second annual international university sports tournament set to take place on campus from March 23 to the 26th. The tournament is organized by the AUB President’s Club.
As-Safir of March 12 published the story of a Palestinian refugee patient receiving treatment at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.
L’Orient Le Jour of March 12 and Al-Bayraq of March 15 reported that the Consumer Protection Directorate at the Ministry of the Economy and Trade, in collaboration with the AUB Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, and the Lebanese Association for Food Safety will hold the Consumer Protection and Food Safety Symposium on March 15 at the Faculty.
Ad-Diyar, Al-Akhbar, and Al-Bina’ of March 12, and As-Safir of March 14 reported that the AUB University Sports Department, in conjunction with United Sports of Lebanon "Nike Official Distributors," are launching the "Nike Elite Training Program.” The program will be administered by a well known international football coach from FCB Barcelona, and is open to all footballers from 16 to 19 years old, who will be invited to a try-out day on March 19, 2011 at AUB.
Al-Anwar of March 12 reported that the Academy for Internet Awards in the Arab World granted the American University of Beirut an award for having the most creative website in Lebanon.
An-Nahar of March 14 and Al-Mustaqbal of March 15 reported that researchers at the American University of Beirut Medical Center have been awarded a $250,000 grant to conduct research on breast cancer aimed at “determine the prevalence, penetration and clinical impact” of the cancer in the country.
As-Safir of March 14 published a profile of the outgoing director of nursing services at the American University of Beirut Medical Center Ms. Gladys Mouro.
L’Orient Le Jour of March 14 reported on the forthcoming Al-Bustan Festival concert by Austrian musician Hubert von Goisern scheduled to take place at AUB on March 15.
As-Safir of March 15 reported on the preparations for the London Olympics 2012 and said that the Velodrome is one of the main projects that have been complete. The paper said that it was designed by AUB alumna Zaha Hadid.
The Daily Star of March 15 published a political editorial arguing that the March 14 camp will struggle to disarm Hizbullah. AUB professor of political studies Hilal Khashan said, “The March 14 coalition’s slogan called clearly for Hizbullah’s disarmament. This is a political slogan that does not have a mechanism for implementation.”
Al-Mustaqbal of March 15 reported that AUB observed the anniversary of the start of its Smoke Free Campus campaign.
Al-Anwar of March 15 published a profile of Lebanese millionaire and businessman Nabil Shartuni, who is also an AUB trustee who started a scholarship fund at the university.
The Daily Star, Al-Anwar, As-Safir, L’Orient Le Jour, Al-Liwa’, An-Nahar, Al-Jumhuriyya, and Ad-Diyar of March 16 reported on the Consumer Protection and Food Safety Symposium that was organized by the Ministry of the Economy and Trade’s Consumer Protection Directorate in collaboration with the AUB Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and the Lebanese Association for Food Safety that was held on March 15, 2011 at AUB’s Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences.
Full article available at:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=3&article_id=126051#axzz1GzQDbWPv
The Daily Star, Al-Anwar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa’, and An-Nahar of March 16 and As-Safir of March 17 reported on the possibility of Lebanon being hit by a major earthquake and consequent tsunami. MP Mohammad Qabbani was quoted as saying that the National Council for Scientific Research and the American University of Beirut were asked to accelerate research into the state of buildings in greater Beirut to determine whether they could withstand earthquakes.
Full article available at:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=126062#axzz1GzQDbWPv

Al-Bayraq, Al-Liwa’, An-Nahar, Ad-Diyar, and Al-Anwar of March 16 and As-Safir of March 18 reported that six students from various universities in Lebanon, including the American University of Beirut, were recipients of a scholarship given out by the Bank of Beirut.
As-Safir of March 16 reported that the American University of Beirut participated in the university fair organized by the Muslim Student League of the Sheheem area.
As-Safir and Al-Mustaqbal of March 17 reported on the events of the Cultural Movement Antelias fair which includes the signing of Michel Geha’s book Wujuh Nayyira fi Al-Jami’a Al-Amrikiyya.
Al-Akhbar of March 17 reported that a group of university students from AUB and LAU went on a peaceful march commemorating the assassination of Kamal Jumblatt.
Al-Akhbar and The Daily Star of March 17 reported on a lecture given by Rashid al-Khalidi at the American University of Beirut.
As-Safir, Al-Akhbar, and The Daily Star of March 17 reported on a protest held by anti-smoking activists. The League of Independent Activists (IndyACT), in collaboration with the American University of Beirut and the Tobacco Free Initiative, have organized a national campaign to promote the drafting of a modern law for tobacco control, but have so far failed to accomplish their aim.
Al-Bayraq and Al-Liwa’ of March 18 reported on a lecture on healthy diet and eating by Sawsan Wazzan Jabri. The lecture was organized by the AUBMC Women’s Auxiliary.
Al-Anwar, As-Safir, The Daily Star, Al-Liwa’, An-Nahar, and Al-Bayraq of March 19 reported that an AUB team of medical researchers led by Dr. Ali Bazarbachi, AUB professor of internal medicine, developed a promising treatment for a rare type of cancer that attacks the immune system called Adult T-cell Leukemia and Lymphoma.
Al-Anwar, Al-Mustaqbal, An-Nahar, Al-Jumhuriyya, and Al-Bina’ of March 19 reported that the under 16 Rugby Middle East Championship will take place at AUB between March 20 and April 2.
Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa’, An-Nahar, and Ad-Diyar of March 19 and Al-Akhbar and Al-Liwa’ of March 22 reported on the launch of Nike Elite Training Program at AUB on March 19. The program will be administered by a well-known international football coach from FCB-Barcelona, and is open to all footballers from 16 to 19 years old.
Al-Jumhuriyya of March 19 reported that the Russian Cultural Center in Beirut in coordination with the AUB Office of Communications are holding a lecture by one of the first Soviet cosmonauts, Georgi Mikhailovich Grechko, entitled, "First in Space", on March 21.
As-Safir of March 19 reported that the rate of C-section deliveries in Lebanon has reached 40 percent, quoting AUB professor Faisal al-Kak.
The Daily Star of March 21 reported that Lebanon's potato farmers are preparing for a hard season as famers and consumers “set to suffer with the summer expected to be hotter than last year’s.” The paper quoted Rami Zurayk, professor of agriculture at the American University of Beirut, as saying that the subsidies program [previously undertaken by Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL)] has catered almost exclusively to big exporters and at a large cost to the country in the form of water.
Al-Anwar of March 22 reported on a meeting held at the headquarters of the union of municipalities of Tyre district between representatives from the municipalities, the Swiss Development Council, and the American University of Beirut to discuss municipal and infrastructural reforms in the region.
The Daily Star of March 23 reported on an exhibition of posters at the American University of Beirut entitled, “19 Could End it” by Lebanese graphic designer Khaled Saab.
Al-Mustaqbal and Al-Anwar of March 23 reported on a lecture organized by the Russian Cultural Center in Beirut in coordination with the AUB Office of Communications entitled, “First in Space” given by one of the first Soviet Cosmonauts Georgi Mikhailovich Grechko.
Al-Mustaqbal, Ad-Diyar, Al-Jumhuriyya, Al-Bina’, Al-Anwar, and An-Nahar of March 23 reported on the results of the under-16 Rugby Middle East Championship taking place at AUB’s Charles Hostler Student Center between March 20 and April 2.
Al-Anwar, Al-Akhbar, Al-Mustaqbal, Ad-Diyar, An-Nahar, Al-Bina’, As-Safir, Al-Bayraq, and Al-Anwar of March 24 and Al-Akhbar, Al-Mustaqbal, An-Nahar, Al-Jumhuriyya, Ad-Diyar, and Al-Bayraq of March 25 reported on the launch of the second annual international university sports tournament taking place on AUB campus from March 23-26. The event is organized by the AUB President’s Club.
Al-Mustaqbal of March 24 reported on a lecture organized by the AUB Social Club entitled, “The Presidents of the 10452 KM2” by George Freiha.
Al-Bina’ of March 25 reported that the AUST university soccer tournament is still ongoing and is taking place at various places including the American University of Beirut Green Field.
Al-Akhbar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa’, Ad-Diyar, Al-Bina’, As-Safir, and Al-Bayraq of March 24 reported on the end of the Nike Elite Training Program which took place on March 19 at AUB. The program was administered by a well known international football coach from FCB-Barcelona, and was open to all footballers from 16 to 19 years of age.
An-Nahar of March 25 published a letter to the editor commenting on a previous article published on the recently published book by Michel Geha entitled Wujuh Nayyira fi Al-Jami’a Al-Amrikiyya fi Bayrut.
Al-Mustaqbal, Ad-Diyar, and Al-Balad of March 27 reported on the second annual international university sports tournament that took place at AUB on March 23-26. The event was organized by the AUB President’s Club.
Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Akhbar, As-Safir, Al-Anwar, Ad-Diyar, and Al-Bayraq of March 28 and Ad-Diyar of March 29 reported on the end and final results of the second annual international university sports tournament that took place at AUB on March 23-26. The American University of Beirut team scored the highest number of gold medals in the tournament, which was organized by the university.
iloubnan info of March 29 published an article on the new Lebanese movement calling for faster internet speed in Lebanon called Ontornet. The paper said that Magda Abu-Fadil, Director of Journalism Training Program at the American University of Beirut wrote an article in the Huffington Post on the activists’ lobbying efforts.
Full article available at:
http://www.iloubnan.info/technology/actualite/id/58888/titre/Lebanese-campaign-against-slow-Internet-service-'Ontornet'-makes-it-to-Huffington-Post
The Daily Star of March 29 published an article examining the recent amendments to the labor law making it easier for Palestinians in Lebanon to obtain a work permit. A study released in December 2010 by the American University of Beirut concluded that only 37 percent of working age Palestinians in the country are employed, including full- or part-time employment.
AME Info, The Daily Star, and Al-Balad of March 29 reported that Ibsar, the Nature Conservation Center for Sustainable Futures at the American University of Beirut, launched the "Nature Conversation" program, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation, in which schools will participate. A press conference was held at AUB and was attended by the General Director of the Ministry of Education, Fadi Yarak, representatives from Ibsar, AUB, the Coca-Cola Foundation and the participating schools.
Full article available at:
http://www.ameinfo.com/260523.html
As-Safir of March 29 published a profile of Lebanese broadcaster Wafa Al-’Oud and said she is an AUB alumna.
The Daily Star of March 30 published an article examining the recent amendments to the labor law making it easier for Palestinians in Lebanon to obtain a work permit. A study by the American University of Beirut released in December 2010 concluded that only 37 percent of working age Palestinians in the country are employed, including full- or part-time employment.
Al-Liwa’ of March 30 reported on the end and final results of the second annual international university sports tournament that took place on AUB campus from March 23 to March 26. The paper said that the American University of Beirut team scored the highest number of gold medals in the tournament. The event was organized by the AUB President’s Club.
Al-Bayraq, Al-Anwar, L’Orient Le Jour, and Al-Mustaqbal of March 30 and An-Nahar of April 1 reported on a study conducted by professors Fida Afiouni and Charlotte Karam, and research assistant Hussein El-Hajj from the Olayan School of Business at the American University of Beirut, and funded by the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research. The study examined weaknesses and strengths of human resources management in the Arab banking sector.

Al-Liwa’ of March 31 and Ad-Diyar of April 1 reported that Ibsar, the Nature Conservation Center for Sustainable Futures at the American University of Beirut, launched the "Nature Conversation" program, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation. A press conference held at AUB was attended by the General Director of the Ministry of Education, Fadi Yarak, representatives from Ibsar, AUB, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and the participating schools.
Ad-Diyar of March 31 reported that Rymco announced full enforcement of a no-smoking policy starting the first of January 2011. The paper said that in 2010 Rymco was a main supporter of a new environmental study aimed at monitoring air pollution caused by traffic, which was conducted by the Atmospheric and Analytical Laboratory at the American University of Beirut.
Al-Anwar of March 31 reported that the American University of Beirut, in collaboration with the Heinrich Boll Foundation, is hosting on April 1 a lecture on Arab impressions of Islamic opposition movements in the region.