Check Archive

June 2009

• Al Watan Daily of June 1 reported that the National Bank of Kuwait (NKB), in partnership with the American University of Beirut, recently launched a high-level training program for talented NKB-Kuwait employees. NBK Chief Executive Officer in Kuwait Issam J. Al Sager said that the initiative is designed to provide the participants with the knowledge and skills they need to fulfill their potential as the next generation of NBK leaders.

• Al Watan Daily of June 1 reported that Bayan Investment Company announced its platinum sponsorship of the fifth Gala Dinner of the Children's Cancer Center in Lebanon (CCCL), which is located at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. The dinner took place on May 28 at the Sheraton Hotel.

• Al-Jareeda (Kuwait), Ar-Rouiah (Kuwait), and Ar-Rai (Kuwait) of June 2 reported on a new collaboration agreement between AUB and the National Bank of Kuwait whereby AUB would provide consultation and training services to the bank's personnel.

• The National Newspaper of June 2 reported on American President Barack Obamaâ??s trip to several Arab states and his address to the Muslim world from Cairo. Fares Braizat, a senior fellow at the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, hoped that the speech would address Israel and urge it to make tangible efforts in the peace process.

• The Middle East Online of June 3 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, about American President Barack Obama's tour of a number of Arab states. Khouri said, Obama should focus on three significant issues: 1- the Arab-Israeli conflict, 2- the 'resistance front', and 3- the lack of democratic rule-of-law-based governance systems in most Arab countries.

• Adab Fan (Other) of June 3 reported that the London Museum of Architecture is featuring the works of world renowned Iraqi Architect Zaha Hadid. The paper said that Zaha Hadid has a BS in mathematics from AUB.

• Al-Mada (Iraq) of June 4 published a historic piece on Iraqi nationalist parties and the founding of an Iraqi nationalist party called Jama'at al-Ahali by a group of students headed by Abdel Fattah Ibrahim at AUB in 1924-25.

• The National Newspaper of June 4 reported on plans to build a cultural center in downtown Beirut that is expected to be complete by 2013. Samir Khalaf, a sociologist at the American University of Beirut said that Lebanon needs such an institution. Art can bring together people who harbor all kinds of fears and paranoias about one another, he added, How can the Lebanese cultivate a genuine interest in art? We must create a venue that breaks away from politics. We must to use this house to reach out. We have to reach the young.

• Al-Waqt (Bahrain) of June 5 published in memoriam piece on Bahraini scholar Rashid bin Abdelrahman bin Abdelwahab al-Ziyyani who is an AUB graduate.

• The Jordan Times (Jordan) of June 5 published a political piece discussing Arab reactions to US President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo on June 4. The paper quoted Karim Makdisi, political science professor at American University of Beirut, as saying: "It [the speech] impressed me more than I thought [it would]".

• Al-Rai (Kuwait) of June 5 reported on the 6th Kuwaiti national conference on the history of Kuwait. The paper said that among the topics presented at the conference was the life of national Kuwaiti figure Sheikh Fahd Al-Salem who studied at the American University of Beirut.

• The Jordan Times (Jordan) of June 5 published a political editorial predicting the outcome of the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Lebanon arguing that analysts expect a tight race among candidates and parties. The paper quoted AUB professor of political studies and public administration Hilal Khashan as saying "The political stagnation will continue after the election because the situation in Lebanon is linked to the situation in the region."

• The Peninsula Qatar and Qatar News Agency of June 6 reported that the Wolfensohn Center for Development at Brookings, the Dubai School of Government, and the Issam Fares Institute at American University of Beirut have entered into a new partnership Taqeem to undertake and promote impact evaluation across the Middle East in the critical areas of employment and entrepreneurship.

• The Middle East Online of June 6 and The New York Times of June 5 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, commenting on American President Barack Obama's recent address to the Muslim world. He said, Obama provided a combination Bible and Quran class mixed in with some American civics lessons -- a touching, sincere performance that gets high marks for boldness and empathy, but nevertheless leaves a lingering hollowness in some areas.

• 14 March of June 6 and Ilaf (Britain) and The Arab Times (UAE) of June 7 published a political piece in which the author implicates the Syrian regime in the assassination of AUB President Malcolm Kerr in 1984 and the bombing of AUB's College Hall in 1991.

• Ar-Raee (Syria) of June 6 published the schedule of the Beirut Spring Festival being held in honor of late Lebanese journalist Samir Kassir. The paper said that the festival includes a vocal and piano concert at the AUB Assembly Hall on June 19.

• The Peninsula (Qatar) of June 6 reported on the forthcoming Lebanese elections on June 7 arguing that over 11,000 election workers will vote in Lebanon, whereby those government employees will be involved in overseeing the poll and will cast their ballots amid tight security. The paper quoted AUB professor of political studies Hilal Khashan as saying "The political stagnation will continue after the election because the situation in Lebanon is linked to the situation in the region."

• Al-Waqt (Bahrain) of June 7 reported on the forthcoming Lebanese elections on June 7 saying that "expatriate Lebanese and observers are flooding into the nation for Sunday's vote." The paper quoted AUB professor of political studies Charles Harb as saying "Lebanon is a composition of minorities, and . . . each minority is sponsored by a world player, and these are the main players in the Middle East."

• Dar Al-Hayat (Britain) of June 6 and Ar-Rai (Syria) of June 7 reported on the mood and conditions at university campuses in Lebanon prior to the forthcoming Lebanese elections on June 7. The paper gave the example of AUB, saying that it is imposing strict security measures to avoid any conflict between its students.

• Al-Tajdeed Al-Arabi (Other) of June 7 reported on the lecture given by Dr. Azmi Bshara on May 14 entitled "Palestine an Arab Cause or the Palestinian Problem?" held at AUB's Issam Fares Hall. The paper said that the lecture was organized by the AUB Palestinian Cultural Club in commemoration of the 61st anniversary of the NAKBA.

• The Peninsula (Qatar) of June 7 reported that Silatech, the Wolfensohn Center for Development at Brookings, the Dubai School of Government, and the Issam Fares Institute at AUB have entered into a new partnership - Taqyeem(evaluation in Arabic) - to undertake and promote impact evaluation across the Middle East in the critical areas of employment and entrepreneurship.

• Al-Wasat (Bahrain) of June 8 published an interview with the president of the Bahrain University College, Sheikh Khalid bin Muhammad Al Khalifa about the status of higher education at the university, and quoted him as saying that the university has always sent its constituents to AUB for professional and academic development.

• Dar Al Hayat (Britain) of June 8 reported on the Lebanese parliamentary elections day of June 7 and reported that a ballot center was placed on Bliss Street across from AUB.

• The Kuwait Times (Kuwait) of June 8 reported on the Lebanese parliamentary elections of June 7 arguing that in case Hezbollah wins circumstances still won't bring radical change. The paper quoted Dr. Hilal Khachan, political science professor at AUB as saying "We are not going to wake up to a nation of 'la ilaha illallah' (there is no God but God) or Wilayat Al-Faqih."

• Hurriyet DailyNews.com of June 8 and The Jordan Times of June 5 and The Peninsula Qatar and Oman Tribune of June 4 reported on the Lebanese parliamentary elections and the impact they will have on the country. The political stagnation will continue after the election because the situation in Lebanon is linked to the situation in the region, said Hilal Khashan, a political science professor at the American University of Beirut.

• The Jordan Times of June 8 reported on the March 14 Coalition's victory in the Lebanese parliamentary elections and the challenges facing the new parliament in forming a new government. Hilal Khashan, a professor at the American University of Beirut, said, If the March 14 Coalition creates a cabinet that does not give the opposition veto power and passes legislation that counters the interest of Hizbullah, Hizbullah could storm Beirut the next day. This political system is accommodationist and not democratic.

• Kuwait News Agency of June 9 reported that the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) launched last month the first university in Kuwait directed towards improving banking skills among its staff. The university, in cooperation with trainers from the American University in Beirut, is training the first 25 employees enrolled in the program, which will last for six months.

• The Gulf Today (UAE) of June 9 published a political editorial arguing that Lebanon needs a national unity government. The paper quoted Hilal Khashan, political science professor at the American University of Beirut as saying "There's a regional understanding on this, which we saw at work when despite the heated atmosphere, the elections took place peacefully."

• Al-Watan (Qatar) of June 9 published a political editorial arguing that the victory of the 14 March coalition in the elections to the Lebanese parliament will not help in forming a unity government. The paper quoted AUB professor of political studies Fawaz Traboulsi as saying "no matter who wins, the situation will remain at a status quo."

• The Saudi Gazette (KSA) of June 9 published a political piece following the Lebanese parliamentary elections arguing that Lebanon's future is seen as tied to the region. The paper quoted Hilal Khashan, political science professor at the American University of Beirut as saying "Lebanon will not witness another round of violence."

• Al-Sabah (Iraq) of June 9 published an article surveying the history of civil society organizations in Iraq including one founded by a group of AUB students in 1926 entitled Al-Shaabiya (popular).

• The Middle East Online of June 10 published an article by Rami G.
  Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American
  University of Beirut, highlighting the significance of the results of
  the Lebanese parliamentary elections, as well as the importance of the
  elections in itself in the Arab world.

• Gulf News of June 11 reported on one of the fathers of Lebanon's independence, Riad al-Solh. The article said that Solh viewed Lebanon as having the potential to be one of the beacons of freedom in the Arab world. His daughter Aliah was a prominent political activist. The article described her as the daughter of independence, she was heir to the towering legacy of her father, as she embarked on a long career of advocacy as a student at the American University of Beirut in the early 1950s.

• Ad-Dustur (Jordan), Ar-Rouia (Kuwait), and Al-Awan (Kuwait) of June 13 published a political piece on the recent US diplomatic visits to visit government officials in Syria. The papers included an interview with Syrian historian and political analyst Sami Moubayyid as saying that the new generation of Syrian politicians with whom the US diplomats are meeting are graduates of the American University of Beirut and are familiar with civilized and modern ways to handle with the internal and international affairs.

• Tehran Times (Iran) of June 14 published a political piece analyzing whether or not the new Lebanese cabinet that emerges from the recent parliamentary elections can bring forth economic development in Lebanon. In this respect the paper published a full interview with AUB professor of political studies Kareem Makdisi.

• The Jerusalem Post of June 16 and The Media Line, News Blaze, and Gantdaily.com of June 15 reported that it is unlikely that the Hizbullah-led opposition in Lebanon will be granted a blocking minority in a new cabinet. Hilal Khashan, the chair of the political science department at the American University of Beirut, said, All Hizbullah wants is that the question of their military wing will not be brought up for discussion. They also want guarantees, and they got the guarantees that the cabinet will not make anti-Hizbullah decisions.

• The Middle East Online of June 16 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, noting the impact the changes in American rhetoric are having in the region, most notably in Lebanon, Palestine and Israel, and Iran. He observed that the new rhetoric had an indirect impact on the success of the western-backed March 14 Coalition in Lebanon and the emergence of a strong wave of moderates in Iran.

• The Middle East Online of June 17 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, commenting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's latest speech on Arab-Israeli peace making. Khouri observed, Netanyahu's speech is important. It clarifies the official Israeli position, which is at great odds with the Palestinian-Arab position, and at some odds with the American position, urging the Arabs to take a decisive stand against what the prime minister proposed.

• Ad-Dustur (Jordan) and Al-Anbat (Jordan) of June 18 reported that AUB professor of education Saouma Boujaoude participated in a conference entitled "Educators' Programs at a Cross Road" organized by Queen Rania Teachers Academy under the auspices of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdallah.

• AME Info of June 18 reported that the American University of Beirut's Suliman S. Olayan School of Business and the Coca-Cola Company held the second OSB-Coca-Cola marketing seminar at AUB's West Hall. The seminar, entitled 'Market Amplification Model for Today's Global Consumer Environment', was open to AUB students and faculty, and was attended by key stakeholders and business organizations.

• The Middle East Online of June 21 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, about the protests in Iran over the results of the country's presidential elections. Khouri said, Younger Iranians are the latest generation of Middle Easterners who are demanding that they be treated as citizens who have rights and as human beings who have a sense of dignity. They do not particularly care what the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, says, and so they will likely keep protesting what they believe was government heavy-handedness in announcing the results of the presidential election in a manner that treated them like simpletons and chattel.

• AME Info and The Open Press of June 23 and Free Press Release of June 21 announced that the newly launched American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) has selected UniversiTools university software for its comprehensive student information system (SIS). Regional members of the UniversiTools user community include American University of Beirut and American University in Dubai (AUD) in the UAE. UniversiTools caters to multilingual universities in the Middle East and North Africa by offering interfaces in English, French, and Arabic.

• Qatar Tribune of June 23 reported that the Brookings Doha Center organized a discussion on the reforms introduced in the recent Lebanese parliamentary elections that led to the victory of the March 14 Coalition. The discussion was addressed by Brookings Center Director Hady Amr, Secretary General of the Lebanese Association for the Democracy of Elections Ziad Abdul Samad, and Professor Karim Makdisi of the American University of Beirut.

• Al-Watan (Qatar) of June 24 reported that AUB professor of political studies Kareem Makdisi participated in a workshop entitled Lebanese Elections and the Middle East: A Chance for Change." The paper said that the workshop was organized by the Doha Brookings Center in Qatar.

• AME Info of June 24 and Sys-con, Pharmacy Choice, Best Medical Articles blogs, and Middle East Events of June 23 reported that the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program has awarded the American University of Beirut Medical Center its prestigious Magnet designation on June 23. AUBMC is the first healthcare institution in the Middle East and the third in the world outside the United States to receive this award. Only five percent of all US hospitals are Magnet recognized, including prestigious hospitals, such as, Cedar Sinai Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital.

• The Middle East Online of June 24 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, about the protests in Iran over the results of its presidential election. Khouri said, Most Arab governments dislike the current Iranian regime, so you would think they would be pleased to see it toppled, or tempered by its own people. Yet, if such change were to occur through street demonstrations Arab leaders of autocratic regimes would be unhappy -- because they would sense their own vulnerability to similar mass political challenges.

• Arab News of June 25 reported on the significance of Arab women writers in studying Arab literature. Among the prominent writers is Sultana al-Sudairi, the first woman to have her work published in Saudi Arabia. Her first poetry book Until When Will They Kidnap you on the Wedding Night was published in 1975, in Lebanon, while she was studying at the American University of Beirut.

• The National Newspaper of June 26 reported on whether the protests in Iran will persist despite the security crackdown on the people. Some observers predicted that the movement may die down, while Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, said, Once you unleash this spirit of fearless resistance and defiance it will come up again, somewhere, somehow.

• Nobles News (Syria), Ar-Raee (Syria), and Dar Al-Hayat (Britain) of June 28 reported on the appointment of Lebanese MP Saad Hariri as new Prime Minister and surveyed the circumstances surrounding his formulating a new government. The paper said that Hariri has attended the Commencement Ceremony 2009 of AUB by virtue of being a member if the University's Board of Trustees.

• The Middle East Online of June 29 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, on the lack of popular revolts in the Arab world despite the people's frustration with the ruling class. He said that Arab passivity can be attributed to the fact that the public does not relate to the ruling class.

• Al-Raya (Qatar) of June 30 reported that AUB granted Lebanese singer Majida El Roumi an honorary doctorate in a ceremony attended by outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Ministers Tarek Mitri and Ziad Baroud, and MP Nayla Tueni.