February 2010

• Qatar University (QU)’s Campus Life of February 1 reported on a two-day conference held in January entitled, “The First Office of Faculty and Instructional Development (OFID) Days: Sharing Experiences for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at QU.” The paper said that the guest speaker at the conference was Director of the Center of Teaching and Learning at the American University of Beirut Saouma BouJaoude who gave a talk entitled, "How Can Education Become a Transformative Activity?"

  Full article available at:

  http://www.qu.edu.qa/newsletters/campuslife/article.php?id=2&issue=171
• Al-Ghad of February 2 announced that Syrian thinker and educational psychologist Fakher Akel passed away after 40 years of work in education and scientific research. The paper said that Akel has a BA and MA from the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alghad.com/?news=481798

• Middle East Online of February 3 published a political editorial by Rami Khouri, director of AUB’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, entitled, “A Bad Spell of Big Power Behavior,” in which he accuses a “snake like” Tony Blair of showing “how otherwise intelligent, articulate leaders can also comfortably splash around in the underbrush of human deceit and political arrogance.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/opinion/?id=37001

• Arab News of February 3 published a book review of Stephen Cohen’s Beyond America’s Grasp: A Century of Failed Diplomacy in the Middle East, in which he argues that American civil society has always played an important role in American foreign policy in the Middle East by establishing influential educational institutions such as the Syrian Protestant College, which became the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.arabnews.com/?page=21&section=0&article=132331&d=3&m=2&y=2010

• Al-Watan and Baladna Online Newspaper of February 3 reported that AUB alumna Nahida Nakad, now director of news programs at Monte Carlo radio station, participated in a press conference in Syria and organized by Monte Carlo station to announce the launch of its new programs in Damascus.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alwatan.sy/dindex.php?idn=73457 

• Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat of February 3 reported that the organizers of the 3^rd Dubai International Advertising Festival have presented Ramzi Raad, chair and CEO of TBWA\RAAD Middle East, with the 2010 Dubai Lynx Advertising Person of the Year Award, in recognition of his pioneering role in the advertising industry in the Middle East and North Africa. The paper said that Raad is an AUB alumnus and began his advertising career in 1967.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=6&issueno=11390&article=555565&feature=

• Al-Bilad of February 3 published a biography of Ray Irani, president and chief executive officer of Occidental Petroleum, and said that he is co-chair of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.albiladpress.com/news_inner.php?nid=40354&cat=2

• The National of February 4 published a book review of recently published book Photography and Egypt by Maria Golia, which traces the development of photography in Egypt over the last 170 years. It added that besides library collections at the American University in Cairo and the American University of Beirut, the only other institution committed to the study and preservation of the region’s photographic heritage is the Arab Image Foundation in Beirut.

  Full article available:

  http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100204/REVIEW/702049988/1008

• Ad-Dustour of February 6 published a profile of Jordanian physician and political activist Dr. Jamal Ash-Sha’ir, adding that he graduated from the American University of Beirut in 1947.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.addustour.com/ViewTopic.aspx?ac=\Miscellany\2010\02\Miscellany_issue850_day07_id210664.htm

• AME Info of February 6, UAE Today of February 7, Lebanon Files of February 11, and As-Safir, Al-Bayraq, and The Daily Star of February 12 reported that the American University of Beirut Medical Center signed a memorandum of understanding on February 5 with Najjar Hospital in Beirut. The papers said that the collaboration will allow patients with restrictive third party coverage to take advantage of AUBMC’s faculty and clinical expertise, and will also serve to expand opportunities in education and training for AUBMC’s physicians-in-training.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.uaetoday.com/news_dtls.asp?newsid=28141

• Ar-Rai of February 7 published a tribute to late Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, saying that it is thanks to his support that many Lebanese educational institutions survived and lasted including the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alraimedia.com/Alrai/Article.aspx?id=184014

• Ar-Rai of February 7 published a review of the book Ruwwad Al-Tub Fi Al-Urdun (Leading Physicians in Jordan) by Dr. Salim Ababneh in which he lists Dr. Ibrahim Dawood, who is an AUB alumnus of 1935, as one of the leading Jordanian physicians.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alrai.com/pages.php?articles_id=34281

• Al-Jareeda of February 7 published a political piece commenting on the repercussions of the American administration’s current foreign policy in the Middle East. The paper quoted Rami Khouri, director of AUB’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs as saying “We can no longer tell the difference between Lebanon, Iraq, the Palestinian territories, Syria, and Iran, contrary to the situation 10 years ago.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.aljareeda.com/aljarida/Article.aspx?id=8573

• Middle East Online of February 8 published a political editorial by Rami Khouri, director of AUB’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, entitled, “Peace-Making requires Applying the Law,” in which he argues that arbitrating conflicts through the equal application of the law to both sides is necessary for any successful negotiation for peace.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/opinion/?id=37086

• AME Info of February 8 reported that Professor of Clinical Medicine and Head of the Hematology/Oncology Division at the American University of Beirut Medical Center Ali Shamesddine participated in a seminar providing the latest updates and breakthroughs in oncology therapy organized by Hoffmann-La Roche healthcare company.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.ameinfo.com/223472.html

• Awan of February 8 reported on the recent decision by the Lebanese government o increase in a number of taxes starting 2010. The paper quoted a study conducted by the American University of Beirut asserting that the increase in the Value Added Tax will decrease consumption by families of low income.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.awan.com/pages/economy/294776

• Ar-Rouia of February 8 reported on a memorial ceremony held by the Syrian embassy in Jordan honoring the late Syrian author Muhammad Khaled Qatma. The paper said that Qatma attended the American University of Beirut as a student.

   

  Full article available:

   

  http://www.arrouiah.com/node/85418

   

• Amwal of February 8 published an interview with Executive Director of Mobinile, Husam Qabbani, regarding his new telecommunication plans in Egypt. The paper said that Qabbani is an AUB graduate.

   

  Full article available at:

   

  http://www.amwal-mag.alqanat.com/mag/Sub_details.asp?Sub_id=1655&Section_id=2

   

• Islam Online of February 8 published an article featuring the social and civil status of Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon who are legally prevented from working in the country. The paper said that for some Palestinian university students at the American University of Beirut no matter how their case is presented, they have no plans to look for work in Lebanon upon graduation. The paper also quoted Khalil Biss, a 20-year-old student at AUB, who said he plans to go to Jordan or the United Arab Emirates after graduating.

   

  Full article available at:

  http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1265205537245&pagename=Zone-English-Muslim_Affairs%2FMAELayout

• Khabbirni of February 8 reported on the recent attempts by Lebanese MP Walid Jumblat to reconcile with the Syrian government. The paper said that Jumblat is an AUB alumnus and graduated with a BA in Political Studies in 1972.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.khaberni.com/print.asp?NewsID=28711&catID=7

• Awan of February 9 and Lebanon Files and Elnashra of February 10 reported on the debate over a plan to build a touristic port on the coast of Beirut stretching from the Riviera Hotel to the AUB Beach.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.awan.com/pages/world/295257

• Al-Bilad of February 10 published a profile of Bahraini banker and general manager at the Iskan Bank in Bahrain, Sabah Al-Mu’ayyid, adding that she is an AUB alumna.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.albiladpress.com/news_inner.php?nid=64690&cat=2  

• Al-Qabas of February 11 reported that AUB professor of education Amal Bou Zeineddine participated in the International Conference of Educators held in Kuwait.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alqabas.com.kw/Article.aspx?id=576683&date=07022010

• Alzoa, Saudi Press Agency, Federation of Arabic News Agencies, and Al-Nafez News of February 11 reported that Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja visited Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. The papers said that Khoja is in Beirut to attend a ceremony organized by the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut held to honor him as Man of the Year 2009.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alzoa.com/docView.php?con=47&docID=33189

• Al-Anbat and Federation of Arabic News Agencies of February 12 reported on a press conference held by the American University of Beirut Faculty of Health Sciences in which health and University officials stressed the need for comprehensive tobacco control legislation as parliamentarians continue to debate a draft law, and warned that in one year Lebanon will lose up to 3500 individuals from smoke related diseases.

   

  Full article available at:

  http://www.fananews.com/look/article.tpl?IdLanguage=17&IdPublication=1&NrArticle=748975&NrIssue=1&NrSection=1

• A1SaudiArabia of February 12 reported that Saudi Minister of Information and Culture Abdel Aziz Khoja and a delegation from the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut (WAAAUB) visited Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and informed him of WAAAUB’s decision to honor Khoja as Man of the Year 2009 and hand him the highest medal of WAAAUB’s branch of engineering and architecture.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.a1saudiarabia.com/Lebanese-president-receives-Khoja/

• Red Tram and AME Info of February 13 announced that Rasamny-Younis Motor Co. (Rymco) is establishing the Rymco-Saadeh Abou Nassif Scholarship Fund to support needy students studying business at AUB. The papers said that the scholarship is being established in honor of AUB alumnus Saadeh Abou Nassif, chief operating officer of Rymco International, who died in a motorcycle accident.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.ameinfo.com/223877.html

• Al-Nadwa, Federation of Arab News Agencies, and Saudi Press Agency of February 13 and Now Lebanon of February 13 and 14 published a report issued by the National News Agency stating that Saudi Information Minister Abdel Aziz Khoja returned to Jeddah on February 13 after concluding his three-day visit to Lebanon to attend a ceremony at the American University of Beirut in his honor.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alnadwah.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010021466948&display=1

• Saudi Gazzette, The Saudi Press Agency, Dar Al-Hayat, and Kuwait Annahar Newspaper of February 13 and A1SaudiArabia of February 14 reported on the ceremony held by the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut and its engineering chapter to honor former Saudi ambassador to Lebanon and current Saudi minister of culture and information Abdel Aziz Khoja as “Man of the Year 2009.” The papers said that the ceremony was attended by a number of Lebanese officials and ambassadors of Arab countries.

  Full article available at:

  http://meltwaternews.com/b.asp?u=790311&r=22024650

• Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat of February 13 reported that the Saudi Minister of Information and Culture Abdel Aziz Khoja arrived in Beirut on February 10 to participate in a ceremony held in his honor by the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut and the Engineering Chapter hailing him as Man of the Year 2009.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=68&article=556956&issueno=11400

• Dar Al-Hayat of February 14 reported on the increase in immigration among Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon in pursuit of better lives, chances, and careers. The paper quoted AUB professor of sociology Sari Hanafi as saying “Small or medium sized businesses could be a temporary solution to those, given that most of the immigrants leave primarily to earn money.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.daralhayat.com/portalarticlendah/108901

• As-Safahat of February 14 commented on world renowned architect Zaha Hadid’s recent design of a mosque at a trade center in Kuwait. The paper said that Hadid is recipient of an honorary doctorate from the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alsafahat.net/blog/?p=22119

• Middle East Online of February 15 published a political editorial by Rami Khouri, the director of AUB’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, entitled, “Diplomatic Illusions,” in which he argues that the “news of Palestinians and Israelis will soon launch indirect negotiations, or ‘proximity talks’ intermediated by US officials, sounds positive on the surface, but in reality it is a very bad sign.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=37226 

• Al-Quds of February 16 published an article surveying the reasons behind the increase in immigration among Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon in pursuit of better lives, chances, and careers. The paper quoted AUB Professor of Sociology Sari Hanafi as saying, “Small or medium sized businesses could be a temporary solution to those, given that most of the immigrants leave primarily to earn money.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alquds.com/node/236625

• As-Sayad of February 15 reported on recent efforts by Middle Eastern countries, including Lebanon, to regulate smoking in public spaces. The paper gave the example of a study conducted by the American University of Beirut Faculty of Health Sciences’ Tobacco Control Research Group in collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Health and the national program to reduce smoking, which includes measurements of air pollution in 28 locations and of the effects of the application of policies banning smoking in schools, universities, and workplaces. The paper quoted AUB Professor of Health Sciences Rima Nakkash as saying that institutions have “applied the smoking ban and found significant health benefits due to this policy.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.al-sayad.com/article.php?articleID=3232

• Middle East Online of February 17 published a political editorial by Rami Khouri, director of AUB’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, entitled, “Why Chuckles Greet the Hillary Show,” in which he argues that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton needs some more credible talking points than opposing military dictatorships since the “United States has adored military dictatorships in the Arab world, especially states dominated by the shadowy world of intelligence services.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/opinion/?id=37289

• Qantara of February 17 published a political editorial commenting on the development of the relations between Lebanon and Syria since the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in February 2005. The paper quoted AUB professor of political studies Karim Makdisi as saying, "The Lebanese politicians will always have to dance to the Syrian-Saudi tune… both sides profit from improved relations, provided the diplomatic rules are observed.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-476/_nr-1294/i.html

• Kuwait News Agency and Aram News of February 18 reported on a lecture given by Amr Moussa, the secretary-general of the Arab League, at the American University of Beirut following an invitation by AUB’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs. The paper said that the lecture was entitled, “The Situation in the Middle East: A Vision for the Future.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2062533&Language=en

• Al-Sayasiyya of February 18 published profiles of the anchors of “Arab Markets”, a TV show that has been airing on Al-Arabia TV since 2005. The papers said that one of the anchors, Nadine Hani, holds a BBA from the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alsyasiah.net/Op.news.php?name=News&file=article&sid=31403

• Zawya of February 18 reported on a medical conference on women’s health and breast cancer held at the Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC), which operates in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Medical Center. The paper said that CMC has developed a partnership with the American University of Beirut Medical Center whose medical students and staff train at their facility.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.zawya.com/arabic/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100218065615/

• AME Info of February 20 reported on a lecture that was held on February 17 at AUB and organized by its Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture at the Lebanese University, by Agriculture Minister Hussein El Hajj Hassan entitled, "Effective Public Policies for the Marketing of Lebanese Agro-Food Products."

  Full article available at:

  http://www.ameinfo.com/224550.html

• Ash-Sharq al-Awsat of February 20 reported that AUB academics held a seminar in which they announced their position towards a draft law on tobacco control, currently being studied by Lebanese parliamentarians.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&issueno=11407&article=557991&feature=

  Syria Nobles News of February 20 reported that the Saudi Minister of Information and Culture Abdel Aziz Khoja was honored by the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut and the Engineering Chapter as Man of the Year 2009.

• Full article available at:

  http://www.nobles-news.com/news/news/index.php?page=show_det&select_page=9&id=75940

• Focus of February 21 reported that AUB Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology Rose-Mary Boustany presented her work on the neurodegenerative disorder Batten disease on autism and other cognitive deficiencies, and on a range of birth defects, at the annual Young Investigators Conference organized by the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research.

  Full article available at:

  http://focus.hms.harvard.edu/2010/020510/dubai_forums.shtml

• Middle East Online of February 22 published a political editorial by Rami Khouri, the director of AUB’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, entitled, “Negotiating with the Four Hardliners.” He argued, “If those who currently mistrust Syria, Iran, Hamas and Hizbullah were to actually embrace serious diplomatic negotiations based on the normal diplomatic toolkit of incentives and disincentives, progress is likely to happen.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/opinion/?id=37400

• Kuwait Annahar Newspaper of February 22 published a profile of and interview with economist Talal Abu Ghazaleh about his leading company in patent and copyright laws and services. The paper said that Abu Ghazaleh is an AUB alumnus of the class of 1960.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.annaharkw.com/annahar/Article.aspx?id=196992

• Al-Liwa’ Newspaper of February 22 published an interview with Palestinian author and thinker Saqer Abu Fakher in which he said he studied Arabic literature at the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://al-liwa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47656&Itemid=47

• Al-Bayan of February 22 reported that the Health Council of Abu Dhabi is organizing Abu Dhabi’s First International Conference on Diabetes in collaboration with the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and that AUBMC Dr. Sami Azar will participate in the conference.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.albayan.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=Article&cid=1265974205178&pagename=Albayan%2FArticle%2FFullDetail

• Al-Wahdah News of February 23 published a professional biography of Arab author Farouq Luqman and said he is an AUB graduate.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alwahdah.net/index.php?action=showDetails&id=2309

• Jorday, Al-Ghad, Ad-Dustour, and Al-Helal News of February 23 reported on a lecture given by Abdul Ra’uf Al-Rawabdeh, former Jordanian prime minister, in which he mentioned that he attended the American University of Beirut as a student.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.jorday.net/news/126/ARTICLE/15758/2010-02-24.html 

• Middle East Online of February 24 published a political editorial by Rami Khouri, director of the AUB Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, entitled, “The Provocation and Futility,” in which he argued that “Israeli actions in recent weeks clarify the futility of trying to negotiate peace with an Israeli state while it wars against the idea that Palestinians have national rights in the same land that Israel claims as its exclusive patrimony.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=37447

• Al-Bawaba of February 24 reported that Lebanese pop star Ragheb Alameh is launching a campaign to protect the environment alongside the students at the American University in Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.albawaba.com/en/entertainment/261762

• Kuwait Annahar of February 24 announced that AUB Professor Ramzi Baalbaki, holder of the Jewett Chair in the Department of Arabic and Near Eastern Languages, has been awarded the prestigious King Faisal International Prize for Arabic Language and Literature.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.annaharkw.com/annahar/Article.aspx?id=197288

• Al-Jareeda of February 24 published an editorial on the effects of closing down bookstores in the Arab world. The paper gave the example of the recent closure of Ras Beirut bookstore, which was owned by Antoine Ghattas, an AUB professor of Arabic.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.aljareeda.com/aljarida/Article.aspx?id=149371

• The Free Library of February 25 announced that the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut Mount Lebanon Branch is holding a gala dinner under the auspices of Lebanese Minister of Information Tarek Mitri.

   

  Full article available at:

  http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Thursday%2F25th+February%2C+2010.-a0219798859

   

• Al-Bayan of February 26 reported on a press conference held by members of the American University of Beirut's Tobacco Control Research Group, and health and university officials calling for the need for comprehensive tobacco control legislation as parliamentarians continue to debate a draft law.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.albayan.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=Article&cid=1265974366466&pagename=Albayan%2FArticle%2FFullDetail

   

• Al-Wasat News of February 26 published a biography of Chief Executive Officer of First Energy Bank Vahan Zanoyan and said he received his undergraduate degrees in Economics and Political Studies from the American University of Beirut.
  Full article available at:

  http://www.alwasatnews.com/2730/news/read/375249/1.html

   

• Ar-Riyadh of February 27 published an article commenting on the recent commemoration of the assassination of Lebanese PM Rafic Hariri and said that his successor as Prime Minister, Fuad Siniora, showed competence in running the Lebanese government and that his friends from the American University of Beirut attest to that.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/02/28/article502328.html

   

• Al-Ghad of February 27 announced that the Greater Amman Municipality chose architect Zaha Hadid to design the new King Abdullah House of Culture and Arts. The paper said that Hadid has a BS from the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alghad.com/?news=487930

   

• Ankawa of February 28 published a biography of Lebanese artist and painter Ghazi Toutounji and said he graduated from the American University of Beirut with a BE in Mechanical Engineering in 1976.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.ankawa.com/forum/index.php/topic,391257.0.html

   

• Arabic Irib of February 28 reported on the centennial celebration of the issuance of Lebanese author Amin Rihani’s book Rihaniyyat. The paper said its English translation The Rihani Essays was written by Rola Baalbaki of the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://arabic.irib.ir/pages/news/detailnews.asp?idn=53240