Check Archive

July 2009

• Sana (Syria) of July 1 reported on the children's illustrated book exhibition and workshop by Lena Merhej who graduated from AUB with a degree in graphic design.

• The Middle East Online of July 1 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, highlighting the recent developments in Turkey where the military is gradually being taken over by the elected civilian government. Khouri deemed the development as one of the most significant in the region, adding a hope that Arab nations would follow the example and abandon their police states.

• Al-Jareeda (Kuwait) of July 1 published an opinion piece debating the credibility of the "commercial" colleges that are opening in Kuwait and the Arab world. While discussing the curricula of those universities, the paper gave the example of AUB that admits students to the pre-med program starting their first enrollment year.

• 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.

• As-Sahafa (Sudan) of July 2 reported that an AUB professor signed, along with other Arab intellectuals, a petition addressed to the Sudan government to stop the plight of the people of Darfur and to put an end to the crisis.

• Tishreen (Syria) of July 2 reported that AUB professor of Nursing Keith Cash was part of a European Union delegation that visited Tishreen University in Syria to assess the progress on establishing a new graduate nursing program.

• Al-Iqtisadiyya (KSA) of July 2 and Emarrakech (Morocco) of July 3 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 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."

• Al-Ghad (Jordan) of July 2 and July 3 reported that Friday marked the death anniversary of Sharif Abdul Hamid Sharaf, director of the Jordanian Foreign Ministry's international organization department, who passed away on July 3, 1980. The paper said that Sharaf earned a BA in philosophy in 1962 and a master's degree in international law from AUB.

• Al-Arab Online (Other) of July 2 and Ar-Raya (Qatar) of July 6 published a review of a book entitled How to Change Conflict into Innovation ( Kayfa Nuhawwil An-Niza' ila Ibda') translated to Arabic by Antar Al-Jaza'iri who received a certification from AUB.

• The Jordan Times (Jordan), Ad-Dustur (Jordan), Al-Bayan (UAE), and Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat (KSA) of July 3 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 paper quoted AUB professor of aquatic science Imad Saoud as saying "We are destroying our sea, completely and totally."

• The Jordan Times (Jordan), and Al-Ghad (Jordan) of July 3 reported that Friday marked the death anniversary of Sharif Abdul Hamid Sharaf, director of the Jordanian Foreign Ministry's international organization department, who passed away on July 3, 1980. The paper said that Sharaf earned a BA in philosophy in 1962 and a master's degree in international law from the American University of Beirut.

• Al-Qabas (Kuwait) of July 3 reported that Kuwaiti high school student Shaima' Abbas Al-Mousawi scored the highest percentile when she graduated from Fajr As-Sabah National School. The paper quoted Al-Mousawi as saying that she hopes to join AUB or the Kuwait University in the near future.

• 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.

• AME Info of July 4 reported on the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the American University of Beirut Medical Center and the Clemenceau Medical Center, which is affiliated with Johns Hopkins International. The two institutions will team up on several levels, including the creation of centers of excellence, developing quality standards in healthcare, and collaborating on medical and educational activities.

• Al-Qabas (Kuwait) of July 4 reported that AUB awarded last week an honorary doctorate Abdel Latif Hamad. The paper said that among the awardees were Egyptian researcher professor Farouk El-Baz, Lebanese singer Majida El Roumi, and Algerian world-renowned radiologist Elias Zerhouni.

• Al-Ghad (Jordan) of July 4 and Al-Rai (Jordan) of July 5 published a profile of Abd Al Majid Shuman on the 4th anniversary of his death. The paper said Shuman, who was head of the Arab Bank, is an AUB alumnus.

• Majallat Al-Sabah (Morocco) of July 5 published a profile of Fadia Rifai, a recipient of an MS in physics from AUB.

• Wikalat Al-Akhbar Al-Mustaqilla (Other) of July 5 published a book review of a novel entitled Al-Quds Riwayat Al-Shaghaf by novelist Issa Al-Qawasmi. The paper said that the protagonist is an aristocratic woman who graduated from AUB.

• Sharq Gharb (Other) of July 5 reported that AUB awarded Lebanese singer Majida El Roumi an honorary doctorate.

• The Middle East Online of July 6 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, about what he called are double standards the West has adopted while addressing instability in countries it is at odds with. He explained that the West is currently gripped by the protests in Iran over the results of the presidential election while in the past it had overlooked such developments in other nations such as Sudan.

• Minassat (UAE) of July 6 reported on a study being conducted by a group of AUB students on child labor in Lebanon.

• Al Bawaba of July 6 reported that the American University of Beirut awarded renowned Lebanese singer Majida al-Roumi an honorary doctoral degree.

• The Middle East Online of July 8 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, criticizing the use of military power to achieve political goals. He said this in light of the recent death of former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert MacNamara who criticized the Vietnam War in the 1960s.

• Trade Arabia (Bahrain) and Khaleej Times (UAE) of July 7 announced that AUBMC and Clemenceau Medical Center affiliated with Johns Hopkins International (CMC) signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a new collaborative effort, setting the principles of cooperation between the two medical institutions. The papers said that collaboration will focus on clinical and academic aspects to help AUBMC and CMC enhance their delivery of high quality care.

• Emirates Business of July 8 conducted an interview with Patrick Merville, the CEO of Man Investments Middle East, an international alternative investment management business. Before joining Man Investments Merville was director at Merrill Lynch in London. He holds a BA in economics from the American University of Beirut and an MBA in finance from Columbia Business School.

• Al-Mo'tamar (Yemen) of July 9 reported on the concert given by Lebanese singer Majida Al-Roumi at AUB's Green Field on Sunday July 5.

• Weghat Nazar (Egypt) of July 9 reported that Helmi el-Touni, an Egyptian artist, illustrator and graphic designer was invited in May 2009 by AUB's department of architecture and design to lecture on his lifetime work. The paper said that the talk was followed by an exhibition of a selection of his work.

• Al-Watan (Qatar) of July 9 published a review of a book entitled How to Change Conflict into Innovation (Kayfa Nuhawwil An-Niza' ila Ibda') translated to Arabic by Antar Al-Jaza'iri who received a certification from AUB.

• Dunya Al-Watan (Palestine) and Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat (KSA) of July 10 published a profile of Jordanian businessman and banker Sufian Al-'Ilmi who is a 1957 AUB graduate.

• Al-Awan (Kuwait) of July 10 and Al-Mokhtasar (KSA) of July 13 published an article by Muhammad Rumayhi in which he argues that the Iranian Revolution is at a crossroads and that there is more to the political conflict in Iran than meets the eye. In his article, the author tells of his encounter with late professor of sociology at the American University of Beirut Ishaq Al-Khoury in a hotel in Tehran.

• Kippreport of July 14 published a biography of Nasser Al Saidi, the chief economist at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Executive Director of Hawkamah - The Institute of Corporate Governance. Prior to this, Al Saidi served as the Minister of Economy and Trade and Minister of Industry of Lebanon from 1998-2000. He had previously worked as a professor of economics at the University of Chicago, the Institut Universitaire de Hautes Etudes Internationales (Geneva), the Universite de Genave, and the American University of Beirut.

• Al-Ghad (Jordan), Ammn (Jordan), and Radio Amman (Jordan) of July 14 published an interview with Jordanian physician and head of the National Center for Diabetes Endocrinology and Genetics Kamel Al-Ajlouni on the commonness of diabetes among Jordanians. The papers quoted Al-Ajlouni as saying that AUB faculty of medicine has a proportional ratio of medical students to professors as opposed to the University of Science and Technology in Jordan.

• Al-Waqt (Bahrain) of July 14 featured Abdulaziz Kanu, a Bahraini student activist while studying at AUB following the Arab/Israeli conflict of the year 1948.

• Guld News (UAE) of July 14 reported on the life of Palestinian activist and militant Abdul Qadir Al Hussaini. The paper said that Al Hussaini enrolled at AUB in 1928 but was dismissed after a year for engaging in political activities on campus.

• The Middle East Online of July 15 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, on the recent call by the European Union's foreign policy chief for the UN Security Council to recognize a Palestinian state by a certain deadline. Khouri wondered if such a call may be effective in the Middle East where Europe no longer holds as much sway as it used to.

• Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat (KSA) of July 18 reported that the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinajad recently appointed Ali Akbar Salehi as head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. The paper said that Salehi has a BS in physics from AUB.

• Al-Waqt (Bahrain) of July 19 published a review of the newly established "western style" universities in the gulf region of the Middle East. The paper said that the American University of Beirut and American University in Cairo were the only western style universities available in the region up until a few years ago.

• Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat (KSA) of July 19 published a statement by Ali Akbar Salehi, the new head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, saying that Iran and the West need to place more effort into building mutual trust regarding Iran's nuclear program. The paper said that Salehi, who holds a doctorate in nuclear physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, has a BS in physics from the American University of Beirut.

• Al-Waqt (Bahrain) of July 21 featured Abdulaziz Kanu, a Bahraini student who became activist while at AUB following the Arab/Israeli conflict of the year 1948.

• Ad-Dustur (Jordan) of July 21 published an article by Hasan Abu Nehme in which he reassesses the circumstances that are holding back peace negotiations and a peace agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis, and cites AUB professor of history Walid Al-Khalidi's teachings on the Palestinian Israeli conflict.

• Al-Ittihad (UAE) of July 21 reported on the 27th University of Sharjah board of trustees meeting held in London and headed by HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi in which the 2009-10 budget was approved. The paper said that Dean of the Olayan School of Business at AUB George Najjar was present at the meeting.

• The Middle East Online of July 21 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, commenting on U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's recent speech on U.S. foreign policy. She promised that the United States would not try to play balance-of-power politics around the world, but rather would try to build a multi-partner world in which governments and private groups work collectively on common global problems or threats.

• University of Sharjah of July 21 reported that the University of Sharjahâ??s Board of Trustees held approved 375 million Dhs as the budget for the academic year 2009-2010 for the University and 57 million Dhs for the Community College, during their recent meeting in London. Among the various officials present at the meeting was Dr. George K. Najjar of the American University of Beirut.

• Gulf Weekly of July 22 published the account of Dr. Tarik Abdul-Ghaffar who was one of 80 students from around the world, and one of just three from the GCC, who were invited by the NASA to witness the launch of the Apollo 17 in December 1972. On his return to Bahrain Dr. Abdul-Ghaffar was awarded a piece of moon rock that was donated to Bahrain National Museum. After completing school, he attended the American University of Beirut but had to leave Lebanon two years into his studies due to the outbreak of the civil war.

• The Middle East Online of July 22 published an article by Rami G. Khouri director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, about the factors that would determine whether any progress would be achieved in resolving conflicts in the Middle East. He said that these factors are US-Israel relations, Israeli compliance with international laws and norms, and the capacity of the Arabs to engage meaningfully in promoting a credible peace process.

• Al-Aan (Kuwait) of July 25 published an article by Muhammad Rumayhi in which he argues that the Iranian Revolution is at a crossroads and that there is more to it in the political conflict in Iran than what appears at the surface. In his article, the author recounts his encounter with late professor of sociology at the AUB Ishaq Al-Khoury in a hotel in Tehran.

• The Jordan News Agency Petra (Jordan) of July 25, and Al-Ghad (Jordan), Ad-Dustur (Jordan), Al-Anbat (Jordan), and Al-Rai (Jordan) of July 26 reported that AUB professor of economics Marcus Marktanner participated in a workshop on Saturday July 25 in Amman, Jordan, and that it was organized by the Jerusalem Center for Political Research in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer German foundation. The paper said that the workshop was entitled "Islamic Economic Theory and Social Market Economic Theory: Comparative Readings."

• Al-Riyadh (KSA) of July 26 published an opinion piece by Munah Al Solh in which he argues that war in Iraq has ranked second after Palestinian conflict in its severity and emotional burden on the Arab nations, and maintains that even though the country might seem to be ailing, its history has proven that it has been a strong nation economically, culturally, and politically. The author describes his recollections of Iraq during a visit to its national museum while he was a student at AUB.

• Al-Ayyam (Palestine) of July 26 published a book review of a novel by the Lebanese author Rabih Jaber entitled " Al-I'tirafat" ( The Confession). The paper said that the protagonist is a man named Maroun who, while growing up at a foster home during the Lebanese civil war (1975-76), studied engineering at AUB.

• The Middle East Online of July 27 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, on the United Nations Development Programâ??s (UNDP) recent report on Arab human development. Khouri praised the report for its thoroughness, also observing, Three key facts emerge from my reading of it: Vulnerability and insecurity for ordinary Arab citizens reflect a range of underlying factors that cut across political, economic, governance and basic services sectors; many human security indicators in the Arab world are static or even worsening; and, Arab societies have cleaved into two very different and distant worlds of affluence and order, and of poverty, need and disorder.â?

• 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.

• 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.

• The Middle East Online of July 29 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, commenting on U.S. President Barack Obama's recent efforts to persuade and pressure the Israeli government towards taking a lenient approach towards Arab-Israeli peace. Khouri said that Obama's efforts were most evident when he dispatched Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell, National Security Adviser James Jones and White House senior adviser Dennis Ross to Israel for this purpose.

• AME Info and UAE Today of July 30 reported that the American University of Beirut has announced that the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR) has awarded two new grants supporting collaborative research initiatives at the Harvard Medical School (HMS) the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC). 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.

• 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.