American University of University Scholarship Program (7) Cycle I

YEAR THREE SEMI ANNUAL REPORT

Author: AUB USP Team

Award #: 103041

Sponsoring USAID Office: USAID/

Date of Publication: October 2017

REPORTING PERIOD: April 1st, 2017 – September 30th, 2017

Report submitted as part of the Agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Cooperative Agreement: AID-268-A-15-00001

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A. Program Summary

The USAID University Scholarship Program USP (7) Cycle 1 offers full coverage to assist 53 male and female public school students in pursuing their undergraduate studies at the American University of Beirut (AUB). The main objective of the scholarship is to give young students coming from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds in the 26 access to high-quality college education. The scholarship covers enrolled students’ fees including tuition, housing, books, a laptop, and stipends for up to five years. During their stay at AUB, the students will have to maintain a good academic status while being involved in a community service project and internship work outside AUB in fields related to their majors.

B. Executive Summary This report details information in relation to the 2017 Spring and Summer semesters registrations and academic results. Besides, this report lists the GPAs of the cohort members who made it to the Dean’s Honor List for the 2017 Spring Semester. Moreover, a reflection on the community engagement component of all the USP (7) Cycle 1 students is also delineated.

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C. USP Cumulative Reporting Table Supportive Summary Data on the USP Awards up to September 2017

Total Total cumulative Total number of number of Total number of scholarships scholars cumulative scholars who disbursed to-date who number of dropped Total (T = E+G+D) graduated scholars who throughout number of this i.e. number of graduated to- the entire scholars reporting initially enrolled date under the program who period Total scholars as per award program (=G) duration dropped target + replacement Total number of End of Cumulative during this scholars Number of (=D) students who Summer 2017 (report on the reporting (report only on substituted drop-outs enrolled during total cumulative Graduate period the number of This number after the first this reporting number of Scholars who students who includes any academic semester + period (=E) scholars who are This number successfully drop-out related new additional graduated from Employed includes any completed the to any reason = scholars through the program (till September drop-out program this drop-outs cost- successfully 2017) related to any quarter; this is during this savings. Typically, including during reason = NOT a quarter + this is indicator this period and all drop-outs cumulative cumulative number 1 in your previous during this number of all total number of PMP, except that the reporting period) quarter only students who drop-outs number is not the successfully during past revised target post reporting drop-outs. graduated) periods

USP(1) USP(2) 52 0 0 50 19 2 0 USP(3) USP(4) 53 8 22 43 18 2 0 USP(5) 65 52 5 5 3 8 0 USP(6) 59 58 0 0 0 1 0 USP(7) – 53 53 0 0 0 0 0 cycle I USP(7) – 0 0 0 0 71 0 0 cycle II USP(7) – 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 cycle III Total USPs at your 282 242 27 98 40 13 0 university

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D. Academics and Enrollment for the Spring and Summer 2017

1. Students’ Academic Enrollment and Standing for the Spring and Summer 2017 Semesters USP (7) Cycle 1 students completed their 2017 Spring and Summer semesters registrations toward the end of December 2016 and May 2017, respectively. The Academic Monitor and Program Coordinator individually verified their schedules, registration progress and graduation plans. Furthermore, several academic meetings were held to follow-up and review students’ academic progress during the course of the Spring and Summer 2017 semesters. Table 1: Majors, credits completed and GPAs of USP (7) Cycle 1 students for Spring and Summer 2017

# ID # Faculty Major No. of GPA in No. of GPA in Cumulative credits Spring credits Summer Average completed 2016- completed 2016-2017 (to date) during 2017 during /100 Spring /100 Summer 2016-2017 2017 1 201707766 FHS Medical 16 80.06 0 0 80.03 Laboratory Sciences

2 201707148 FAS Petroleum UPP (0 77 0 0 76 Studies credits)

3 201707133 FAS Computer 13 82.31 0 0 83.31 Science

4 201707140 FAS Computer 12 71 0 0 71 Science

5 201707129 FEA Civil Engineering 15 89 8 84.62 87.47

6 201707062 FAS Chemistry UPP (0 83 0 0 86 credits)

7 201707458 FAS Computer 12 73.8 3 68 71.20 Science

8 201707627 OSB Business UPP (0 75 0 0 73.5 Administartion credits)

9 201707474 FAS Education 12 75 0 0 75

10 201707542 FAS Chemistry 16 83.75 0 0 78.5

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11 201707673 FEA Mechanical UPP (0 81 0 0 81 Engineering credits)

12 201707018 FEA Computer and 15 91 9 94 91.16 Communication Engineering

13 201707422 FHS Medical 15 79.13 0 0 79.13 Laboratory Sciences

14 201707622 FHS Medical 12 82.4 0 0 82.4 Laboratory Sciences

15 201707238 FAS Chemistry 12 74.6 0 0 74.6

16 201707684 FAFS Agribusiness 15 86.2 0 0 86

17 201707824 FAS Computer 13 69.12 0 0 67.31 Science

18 201707392 FAS Computer 15 74.6 0 0 76.35 Science

19 201707289 FAS Computer 15 82.4 0 0 82.4 Science

20 201707780 FEA Mechanical 13 83 9 86 82.46 Engineering

21 201707316 FEA Civil Engineering 17 74.88 8 61.62 73.35

22 201707228 FAS Petroleum 15 78.2 0 0 78.2 Studies

23 201707403 OSB Business 12 78.2 0 0 78.2 Administartion

24 201707505 FAFS Landscape 17 82.52 8 84.62 81.71 Architecture

25 201707366 FAS Computer 12 80.8 3 90 83.2 Science

26 201707103 HSON Nursing 14 84.64 0 0 84.7

27 201707341 FEA Civil Engineering 17 87.11 8 73 84.03

28 201707575 FAFS Food Science 15 82.73 0 0 82.66 and

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Management

29 201707429 HSON Nursing 14 86.92 0 0 86.92

30 201707528 OSB Business UPP (0 74 0 0 74 Administration credits)

31 201707201 FEA Civil Engineering 17 85.17 8 79.50 84.25

32 201707339 FAS Computer 12 78.2 3 78 78.2 Science

33 201707231 FEA Civil Engineering UPP (0 83 0 0 83.5 credits)

34 201707881 OSB Business UPP (0 79 0 0 80 Administration credits)

35 201707886 HSON Nursing 11 79.35 0 0 79.35

36 201707488 FEA Computer and 16 80.37 9 75.33 78.70 Communication Engineering

37 201707021 FAS Computer 12 70.6 0 0 70.6 Science

38 201707012 FAS Petroleum 12 79.8 0 0 79.8 Studies

39 201707377 FAS Chemistry 15 74.8 0 0 78.7

40 201707816 FAS Chemistry 13 89.62 0 0 89.62

41 201707770 FEA Computer and 15 75.4 9 85 79 Communication Engineering

42 201707501 FAFS Nutrition UPP (0 78 0 0 76.5 credits)

43 201707078 HSON Business UPP (0 77 0 0 75.5 Administration credits)

44 201707540 FAS Computer 15 70.4 0 0 71.38 Science

45 201707482 FAS Computer UPP (0 76 0 0 76 Science credits)

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46 201707226 FAS Computer UPP (0 75 0 0 78.5 Science credits)

47 201707784 FAS Computer 14 76.31 0 0 76.31 Science

48 201707256 FHS Environmental 16 89.75 0 0 89.75 Health

49 201707296 OSB Business UPP (0 77 0 0 78 Administration credits)

50 201707029 FAS Chemistry 14 89.71 0 0 88.6

51 201707695 OSB Business 12 78.6 0 0 78.6 Administration

52 201707642 FAS Computer UPP (0 79 0 0 78 Science credits)

53 201707363 FEA Civil Engineering UPP (0 79 0 0 77.5 credits)

2. Students on Dean’s Honor List for the 2017 Spring Semester A considerable number of USP (7) Cycle 1 regular students made it to the Dean’s Honor List for the 2017 Spring semester, with a total of 10 students (25.64%) out of the 39 USP (7) cycle I regular students. The gender distribution among the Dean’s Honor students is 40% for males (4 males) and 60 % for females (6 females). Table 2: Majors, credits load and GPAs of the USP (7) C1 regular students who made the Deans’ Honor List in their faculties for the 2017 Spring semester

# ID # Faculty Major Credits taken GPA for Spring during Spring 2016-2017 2016-2017 (/100) 1 201707129 FEA Civil Engineering 15 89

2 201707018 FEA Computer and 15 91 Communication 3 201707684 FAFS Agribusiness 15 86.2

4 201707103 HSON Nursing 14 84.64

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5 201707341 FEA Civil Engineering 17 87.11

6 201707429 HSON Nursing 14 86.92

7 201707201 FEA Civil Engineering 17 85.17

8 201707816 FAS Chemistry 13 89.62

9 201707256 FHS Environmental Health 16 89.75

10 201707029 FAS Chemistry 14 89.71

3. Students registering the required PSPA course during the AY 2017-2018 A total of 13 students is expected to register the required PSPA course during the 2017-2018 Academic Year; one during the 2017 Fall semester and 12 students during the 2018 Spring semester.

E. Summer 2017 Internships

1. Academic Mandatory Internships

USP (7) C1 students have not yet registered their academic mandatory internships as most of them have just started regularly their majors during Fall 2017-2018 or completed one or two semesters of their sophomore year during 2016-2017 Academic Year. For that, during Summer 2018, it is anticipated that a total of thirteen USP (7) C1 students will register their academic mandatory internship as per their majors’ requirements, in the Medical Laboratory Science Program, Agribusiness, Environmental Health, Business Administration, Nursing, Food Science and Management and Petroleum Studies.

2. Summer 2017 Non-Academic Mandatory Internships

Among the cohort members of the USP (7) Cycle 1 phase, three students have completed their non- academic mandatory internships during Summer 2017. These internships were organized, scheduled and approved in coordination with CCECS team. All students submitted a detailed report about their internship to the CCECS team. They also gave a presentation about their internship in the presence of CCECS and USP teams and NGO’s representatives.

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F. Enrollment for the Fall 2017-2018

1. Students’ Academic Enrollment for the Fall 2017- 2018 Semester USP (7) C1 students completed their Fall 2017- 2018 registration toward the beginning of September 2017. The Program Coordinator individually verified their schedules, registration progress and graduation plans. The number of registered credits per student related to the degrees’ credits’ requirements and students’ anticipated graduation date were monitored.

Table 3: Breakdown of USP (7) C1 students’ enrollment for Fall 2017- 2018 Semester

# ID # Faculty Major English No. of No. of No. of Expected Placement credits credits credits Graduation Upon needed to completed registered Date Admission complete so far (up during to AUB degree to Summer Fall 2017- 2016-2017) 2018 1 201707766 FHS Medical ENGL 102 103 28 18 Spring Laboratory 2019 Sciences

2 201707148 FAS Petroleum 2 90 0 13 Spring Studies semesters 2020 UPP

3 201707133 FAS Computer ENGL 100B 90 19 16 Fall 2019- Science 2020

4 201707140 FAS Computer 1 semester 90 12 15 Fall 2019- Science UPP 2020

5 201707129 FEA Civil 1 semester 143 23 18 Fall 2020- Engineering UPP 2021

6 201707062 FAS Chemistry 2 90 0 16 Spring semesters 2020 UPP

7 201707458 FAS Computer 1 semester 90 15 16 Fall 2019- Science UPP 2020

8 201707627 OSB Business 2 90 0 12 Spring Administration semesters 2020 UPP

9 201707474 FAS Education 1 semester 90 12 15 Fall 2019- UPP 2020

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10 201707542 FAS Chemistry ENGL 100B 90 19 15 Fall 2019- 2020

11 201707673 FEA Mechanical 2 143 0 16 Spring Engineering semesters 2021 UPP

12 201707018 FEA Computer and ENGL 203 143 39 17 Spring Communication 2020 Engineering

13 201707422 FHS Medical 1 semester 103 15 15 Fall 2019- Laboratory UPP 2020 Sciences

14 201707622 FHS Medical 1 semester 103 12 18 Fall 2019- Laboratory UPP 2020 Sciences

15 201707238 FAS Chemistry 1 semester 90 12 16 Fall 2019- UPP 2020

16 201707684 FAFS Agribusiness ENGL 102 96 27 15 Spring 2019

17 201707824 FAS Computer ENGL 100B 90 16 13 Fall 2019- Science 2020

18 201707392 FAS Computer ENGL 204 90 34 16 Spring Science 2019

19 201707289 FAS Computer 1 semester 90 15 16 Fall 2019- Science UPP 2020

20 201707780 FEA Mechanical ENGL 100B 143 28 15 Fall 2020- Engineering 2021

21 201707316 FEA Civil ENGL 203 143 40 18 Spring Engineering 2020

22 201707228 FAS Petroleum 1 semester 90 15 15 Fall 2019- Studies UPP 2020

23 201707403 OSB Business 1 semester 90 15 15 Fall 2019- Administration UPP 2020

24 201707505 FAFS Landscape ENGL 102 144 39 17 Spring Architecture 2020

25 201707366 FAS Computer 1 semester 90 15 16 Fall 2019-

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Science UPP 2020

26 201707103 HSON Nursing ENGL 100B 103 17 15 Fall 2019- 2020

27 201707341 FEA Civil ENGL 100B 143 31 18 Fall 2020- Engineering 2021

28 201707575 FAFS Food Science ENGL 100B 97 21 17 Fall 2019- and 2020 Management

29 201707429 HSON Nursing 1 semester 103 14 15 Fall 2019- UPP 2020

30 201707528 OSB Business 2 90 0 12 Spring Administration semesters 2020 UPP

31 201707201 FEA Civil ENGL 100B 143 31 18 Fall 2020- Engineering 2021

32 201707339 FAS Computer 1 semester 90 15 16 Fall 2019- Science UPP 2020

33 201707231 FEA Civil 2 143 0 15 Spring Engineering semesters 2021 UPP

34 201707881 OSB Business 2 90 0 15 Spring Administration semesters 2020 UPP

35 201707886 HSON Nursing 1 semester 103 11 15 Fall 2019- UPP 2020

36 201707488 FEA Computer and ENGL 203 143 40 16 Spring Communication 2020 Engineering

37 201707021 FAS Computer 1 semester 90 12 15 Fall 2019- Science UPP 2020

38 201707012 FAS Petroleum 1 semester 90 12 15 Fall 2019- Studies UPP 2020

39 201707377 FAS Chemistry ENGL 102 90 28 17 Spring 2019

40 201707816 FAS Chemistry 1 semester 90 13 15 Fall 2019- UPP 2020

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41 201707770 FEA Computer and 1 semester 143 24 16 Fall 2020- Communicatio UPP 2021 n Engineering

42 201707501 FAFS Nutrition 2 98 0 13 Spring semesters 2020 UPP

43 201707078 HSON Business 2 103 0 14 Spring Administration semesters 2020 UPP

44 201707540 FAS Computer ENGL 203 90 31 16 Spring Science 2019

45 201707482 FAS Computer 2 90 0 13 Spring Science semesters 2020 UPP

46 201707226 FAS Computer 2 90 0 13 Spring Science semesters 2020 UPP

47 201707784 FAS Computer 1 semester 90 13 15 Fall 2019- Science UPP 2020

48 201707256 FHS Environmental 1 semester 96 16 14 Fall 2019- Health UPP 2020

49 201707296 OSB Business 2 90 0 12 Spring Administration semesters 2020 UPP

50 201707029 FAS Chemistry ENGL 100B 90 20 15 Fall 2019- 2020

51 201707695 OSB Business 1 semester 90 15 15 Fall 2019- Administration UPP 2020

52 201707642 FAS Computer 2 90 0 16 Spring Science semesters 2020 UPP

53 201707363 FEA Civil 2 143 0 15 Fall 2020- Engineering semesters 2021 UPP

G. Students’ Administrative Tasks

1. Book Allowance

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All 53 USP (7) C1 enrolled students received their book allowance for Spring 2017, toward the beginning of February 2017. Likewise, they received their book allowance during the month of September 2017 for the 2017-2018 Fall semester.

2. Meals & Living Expenses

A total of four monthly scheduled payments was processed for the 53 enrolled students during the 2017 Spring semester. Similarly, the twelve students who had to complete summer courses as per majors’ curricula during Summer 2017, received a two-month scheduled payment of monthly allowance. This process is ongoing with the continuing 53 USP (7) C1 students who received their September 2017 monthly stipends and are scheduled three other payments for the 2017-2018 Fall semester.

3. AUB Housing and Transportation Allowance

During Spring 2017, a total of 37 USP (7) C1 students were residing in AUB Housing Units and 16 were benefitting from scheduled payments covering their transportation allowance. For those who registered Summer 2017, two benefitted from two scheduled payments covering their transportation allowance fees and the remaining seven students were residing in AUB Housing Unit. For the Fall 2017-2018 semester, a total of 37 continuing USP (7) C1 students settled in their respective dorms’ rooms and the remaining 16 are receiving their transportation allowance as scheduled monthly payments.

H. Civic Engagement Component The Center for Civic Engagement and Community Services (CCECS) is documenting the follow-up on the USP students’ community engaging activities. Considering this follow-up, a summary on this component is delineated below. 1. Clubs & Societies

During the 2016-2017 Spring semester, all USP (7) cycle 1 students were registered in AUB clubs. In addition, 14 students out of them joined AUB societies.

2. Significant Events & Volunteering Activities

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A total of forty-nine USP (7) C1 students had engaged in volunteering activities and thirty of them attended the scheduled significant events during the Spring 2017 semester and the Summer 2017 break. Many of the students are carrying out their volunteering activities with enthusiasm and commended attitude. Some students are engaging in long term volunteering activity exceeding the required number of hours to complete their volunteerism. Others are having some conflicting time management in completing on time their volunteerism, in return they are attending to this requirement during the inter- semester winter and spring breaks. CCECS team is following up on students’ completion of their volunteering requirements (12 hours of voluntary work and 3 hours of significant conference/event during a semester) and for submission of reflection letters afterwards to reflect on the learning experience following these volunteering hours. Among the Significant Events/ Orientation Sessions offered:

Networking between MSI partner organizations supported by OTI - LAU Hometown Event: April 13 2017 was the date of a networking event which was held in LAU in order to facilitate introductions and connections between MSI partner organizations supported by OTI from different regions in Lebanon.

AUB- USJ NGO 2017 Fair Opening Ceremony: April 27, 2017 was the opening ceremony day of the AUB- USJ 2017 NGO Fair organized by the AUB Center for Civic Engagement and Community Service. This event featured AUB President, USJ Secretary General, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, World Bank Acting Country Manager, and Minister of Social Affairs.

Youth Talks – AUB-USJ 2017 NGO Fair: During the AUB-USJ 2017 NGO Fair, the “Youth Talks” panel took place at the USJ Faculty of Medicine Campus. Youth Talks brought together students from both USJ and AUB to describe how they perceive civic engagement.

Positive Intelligence Session organized by the AUB USP Club: session organized by the AUB USP Club on April 11, 2017. The aim of the session is to introduce to the students the concept of positive intelligence and how to apply it in their lives.

Electoral Law - Students Debating a Minister: "Electoral Law: Students Debating a Minister" a session organized by the AUB Debate Club on April 6, 2017. This panel brought together representatives from different AUB student clubs and former Minister of Interior to discuss the different electoral laws, and more specifically the proportional law that the latter proposed in 2013.

Dunyana Program – BBC Arabic TV: BBC Arabic TV, Dunyana Program was broadcasted on AUB campus on Sunday April 9th featuring three former fighters from Libya, Iraq and Lebanon as guest speakers. The topics of discussion included civil wars and their impact on society and the motives behind involvement in war crimes.

Preventing Harassment, Bystander Intervention and Victim Advocacy Workshop -The Equity and Title IX Program: a workshop entitled “Preventing Harassment, Bystander Intervention, and Victim Advocacy Workshop” organized by AUB's Equity and Title IX program on May 17, 2017. 14

Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union (LPHU) Training: a series of psychosocial activities with young people with special needs organized by the Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union on July 28, 2017.

BBC World Questions Debate in Beirut organized by the British Council: the BBC World Questions Debate on September 5, 2017 is about debating questions from a public audience on Lebanon's social, political and international future. The debate, led entirely by questions from the audience, allowed the public to question politicians face to face.

Sexual Harassment and Masculinities, Consent and Rape Culture Workshops: As part of the KIP Project conference organized at AUB, a workshop-lecture series on “Sexual Harassment and Masculinities” and on “Consent and Rape Culture” to provide participants with better understanding of sex vs. gender and to introduce students to the different notions of consent, rape culture and sexual harassment.

As for the volunteering activities arranged by the CCECS team:

Children Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL): USP students volunteered with CCCL outpatient department with the objective to contribute to the well-being of young patients through the creation of a safe and pleasant environment to entertain children. Students, committing throughout the semester, build strong relations with teenagers who have troubles accepting their situations and who “find in each volunteer a friendly mate to rely on”.

Young Arab Voices Debate Program: USP students volunteered in the 2017 Young Arab Voices Debate program in partnership with British Council, Anna Lindh Foundation and Masar Association. The program aims to develop skills and opportunities for youth to lead and manage effective debates to enrich democratic dialogue across the Arab region.

Embracing Potentials with MMKN: The activity aimed at providing remedial classes on various subjects for students in public schools in preparation for their official exams.

English Teaching Program: English Teaching Program initiated by CCECS in collaboration with Jusoor organization. Throughout the spring semester, USP students delivered English language sessions on a weekly basis to Syrian refugees. The English Teaching Program ended with a closing ceremony on April 28, 2017 where Jusoor participants and AUB volunteers who shared their experiences in this program and were given certificates of completion.

After School Reinforcement Program with NASMA Learning Center: The activity entailed conducing reinforcement sessions to underprivileged school students. The NGO provides equal educational opportunities to underprivileged school students with an overarching aim to improve their “self-esteem, self-efficacy and their academic, creative and social skills”.

Step Up Program with the Lebanese Down Syndrome Association: “Step Up Program” is organized by the Lebanese Down Syndrome Association in collaboration with the Continuing Education Center/REP at AUB to provide life skills and career education in preparation to productive employment, community life participation, and independent living achievement.

USP (7) – Cycle 2 Open Days: USP students provided logistical and organizational support to the AUB USP Management team during the 2017 Open Days for USP (7) - Cycle 2 that took place in AUB from 15

May 29 till June 2, 2017. Volunteers guided the applicants and the parents to the interviews/ exams they had to do throughout the day in AUB.

Children’s Health Fair: the Children’s Health Fair organized by the Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee (LeMISC) and the Standing Committee on Public Health (SCOPH) on May 18, 2017 at Al Sanayeh Garden had for aim to raise awareness about the importance of a child's health in different aspects: health topics; hygiene, nutrition, dental health, safety on roads, cyber-safety, mental health, and Champs Fund's cardiac arrest in athletes.

Medical Research Volunteer Program (MRVP) with the AUB Faculty of Medicine: the MRVP provides students interested in becoming involved in the field of medical research with an active experience and opportunity to learn from and support physicians, clinical researchers, basic science researchers and other health professionals.

Recording Books for Visually Impaired Individuals – Al Huda School: USP student volunteered with Al Huda School to record books for visually impaired individuals.

Typing Stories for Visually Impaired Individuals – Youth Association for Visually Impaired: USP student volunteered during August 2017 with the Youth Association for Visually Impaired to type stories and then uses this electronic version to convert it into a braille hard copy.

Psycho-social Training – Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union (LPHU): USP students volunteered with LPHU to facilitate psycho-social training sessions in July 2017.

My Bookshelf – AIESEC Lebanon and Sonbola NGO: USP students took part in the “Refugee Language and Education Program: My Bookshelf” organized by AIESEC Lebanon and Sonbola organization during August 2017. The program targets children with language fluency need and education gap and provides psychosocial support and cultural activities using the English language as a practical tool.

Recreational Activities with Autistic Children – Autism Awareness Association (AAA): USP students volunteered with AAA to provide logistical support and conduct recreational activities for autistic children during a recreational day organized by AAA on August 26, 2017.

Saida Health Day – Amalouna: Health Day organized by Amalouna on September 24, 2017 in partnership with Hariri Foundation, AUBMC Naef Bassil Cancer Institute, AUB Global Health Institute, Champs Fund NGO, AUBMCares and AUB Wellness Center to increase the public’s knowledge about cancer prevention and promote healthy living and wellbeing.

In addition, other volunteering activities were arranged by USP students:

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Community Service Project - Team E: My Story through My Puppets: The project aims to offer psychosocial support in the form of “play therapy” to children living in refugee camps in the Bekaa region.

Conflict Management and Resolution in the MENA Region – PSPA Student Society: a panel entitled “Conflict Management and Resolution in the MENA Region” organized by the AUB Political Science and Public Administration Student Society on April 8, 2017. After a keynote session, students were divided into different groups with each group working on a case study to propose solutions to the current political crisis in the MENA region.

Public Schools Support Program – Workshops for High School Students “Get Active” with MMKN: workshops organized for high school students on April 8, 2017. The workshops brought together students from 12 public high schools to build their capacities in terms of time management, goal setting, and planning.

Medical Day - Lebanese Red Cross Bint Jbeil: a Medical Day to test glucose and lipid organized by the Lebanese Red Cross in Bint Jbeil on May 25, 2017.

Health and Wellness Fair: USP student represented Champs Fund during the Health and Wellness Fair organized in AUB on April 12, 2017.

TEDx AUB: TEDx AUB brought together 7 speakers from different backgrounds and fields to share their experiences on April 29, 2017.

Awareness Campaign and Prevention Program - Gift of Life Lebanon and Children’s Heart Center at AUBMC: an awareness campaign and prevention program organized by Gift of Life Lebanon and AUBMC Children’s Heart Center in Chebaa, South Lebanon. The event took place on August 5 and 6, 2017 and included checkup for children less than 15 years old and highlighted the importance of routine early checkup and heart screening.

Recreational Activities - Centre de Lecture et d’Animation Culturelle (CLAC): a summer camp to organize and conduct different recreational activities to more than 150 children from Bint Jbeil and the surrounding areas between the age of 3 and 8 years old. Activities included drawing, handcraft, and music.

IT support – Rachaya Environmental Congress Organization: USP student provided IT support to Rachaya Environmental Congress Organization from June till August 2017.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Annual Summer Volunteering Camp: summer volunteering camp during August 2017 to assist in the construction and rehabilitation of a basketball court and soccer field in Jran village - district.

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I. Outreach Components

1. Facebook Page The USP team is continuously updating the AUB USP Facebook Page for the USP phases to gain further visibility. Regular success stories, significant events, and USP updates are posted by the USP team members on weekly basis.

2. USP Alumni Chapter Initiated

Monday April the 24th, saw the continuation of the USP program in stature and in size for its WAAAUB USP Chapter was officially chartered in a ceremony featuring AUB President, the Chapter’s Advisor, the USP graduates, the USP Management and the USP students. AUB President, in the address, took the time to remind the USP Alumni of their duties to their communities, which the USP scholars promised to uphold, just as they had done when they were students.

3. USP EVENTS June 14 USAID event On June 19, a USAID AUB official event took place in Charles Hostler Auditorium. The event was attended by the Excellency US Ambassador, USAID Acting Mission Director, AUB President, AUB Provost, USAID and US embassy officials, graduates, and AUB faculty and staff, among others. In the opening of the event, Director of USAID-USP at AUB welcomed the attendees and introduced a short video “A USP in the making” that shed the light on the shortlisting process and the open days which welcomed around 300 candidates excited to join AUB through the scholarship. In the remarks, AUB President said: “These are times where societies are being constructed based on empowering the best and the brightest to go out and to create new opportunities and new, more open, and tolerant societies, and you’re a vital part of that effort. You are learning leadership, entrepreneurship, self- sufficiency, and you are learning tolerance, which is, from my perspective, something that is on trial these days... This is a transformative leadership program that can only be transformative… if you fully immerse yourself and you engage in it. You are the beneficiaries of an investment by the United States government.” The President continued: “This program really exemplifies the mission of AUB, which is to make a difference in the lives of the best and the brightest. It does not just benefit you; it benefits your community. If this is working well, you are going to go back into that community to make a difference.

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You’re going to create new opportunities, new knowledge, and yes, new excitement that, in fact, this country can succeed in the absence of a sustainable government structure so far.” In the speech, US Ambassador talked about the reason why the United States invests in education in Lebanon, saying: “The world is more interconnected than ever, our economies are inextricably linked and interdependent… We believe that the stability, prosperity, tolerance, open-mindedness and enlightened thinking that you are learning and that you are practicing here in this country is going to be good for all of us. It’s going to be good for the greater Middle East region, and it’s going to be good for the entire world.” Richard added: “I believe the real value of what you learned here is how to think critically, how to think for yourself, how to appreciate diversity, how to listen to others, how to learn from differences of opinion, and how the seemingly small investment of one person in the community can start to change the world.” The officials’ addresses were followed by a graduating scholar speech. A USP (4) graduating scholar, took the podium to speak about the experience studying at AUB under the USP program. The graduate wrapped up the speech by saying: “AUB and USP scholarship took me all the way to be a successful leader. Without it, I would never have had the chance or the time to develop the sense of social responsibility and willingness to make change...I would never have had the chance to develop new skills… I would never have learned English and had the chance to participate in international workshops… I would never have had the chance to be a good implementer and a positive change maker in my community.” The speech was superseded by a musical performance from one of the USP (2) graduates singing Fayruziat with the band Tayarat Warak. The ceremony ended with a Community Service Projects display of posters in the reception area of the Charles Hostler Auditorium and a group picture gathering all the attendees at the external stairs of the Auditorium. LAU Hometown Event

The LAU’s University Scholarship Program Hometown Event took place on April 13 at LAU Byblos. This event, which brought together AUB and LAU USP students, faculty, staff, and members of NGOs and governmental agencies, was organized in partnership with Management Systems International (MSI), a U.S.-based development firm specialized in delivering donor-funded community programs. The event was attended by several USP scholars from the various on-board USP phases at AUB. It focused on the

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achievements of students though the scholarship program and their impactful role in giving back to the community.

J. Conclusion Academic year 2016-2017 formed the first year of academic integration for the USP (7) C1 students. Some joined immediately their regular majors, many others joined the University Preparatory Program (UPP) for one or two semesters. Whether regular or UPP students, all the scholars managed their courses’ registration and community engaging activities with motivation, seriousness and responsibility. The 2017-2018 Fall and Spring semesters will form the continuation of the students’ academic enrollment and community service activities at AUB through the program.

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