Focus

May 2007 Edition The AMIDEAST Newsletter of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs AMIDEAST Celebrates Fifty Years in

AMIDEAST was founded in 1951 sion to help administer the U.S. and began operations in the Middle Department of State-funded Ful- East soon thereafter. It opened its bright Foreign Student Program in doors in in 1956 at a time of Egypt. Over the past thirty-five growing tensions in Egypt as well as years, more than seventy talented the region—tensions that would Egyptians have benefited from this return repeatedly over the ensuing prestigious program. decades. Throughout them all, AMIDEAST/Egypt kept its doors H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak delivers the To mark its 50th anniversary in open, providing valued services and keynote address. Egypt, AMIDEAST held a gala an ongoing channel for people-to- dinner on December 5, 2006 and a people communication. Its informa- and abroad. AMIDEAST also works symposium the following day, tion programs sought to improve with numerous program sponsors to entitled, “Egyptian Education and American understanding of the Arab recruit and prepare students for U.S. Training for the Global Economy.” world, and it encouraged contacts study, manage their scholarship Nearly 500 Egyptian and American between American and Egyptian programs in the United States, and officials, educators, business leaders, leaders in government, business, and further cultural exchange between and AMIDEAST alumni attended the education. Since its earliest days, it Egyptians and Americans. Since celebration. During these 50th has steadily worked to enable 1972, AMIDEAST has worked with anniversary events, guests heard thousands of Egyptians to gain access the bi-national Fulbright Commis- from special guests H.E. Mrs. to higher education in the United Suzanne Mubarak, U.S. Assistant States. Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Dina Habib Today, AMIDEAST/Egypt operates Powell, and Egypt’s Minister of offices in Cairo and Alexandria. Last Higher Education Dr. Hany Helal. year, over 30,000 students enrolled in English language and professional H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, the training, and nearly 100,000 gala’s keynote speaker, expressed her individuals utilized AMIDEAST’s AMIDEAST President Ambassador country’s appreciation of “fifty years advising and testing services, which Theodore Kattouf addresses reporters. of fruitful collaboration” between help students gain greater access to Former AMIDEAST President Ambassa- AMIDEAST and Egypt. She noted dor William Rugh, left, looks on. educational opportunities in Egypt Continued on page 2...

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Alumni Updates Page 5 Fulbright Alumni Conferences in Page 2 Fulbright Alumnus honors Virginia Tech Page 10 The National Security Language Initiative Page 4 AMIDEAST Update Page 11 Fulbright Focus Page 2 that “AMIDEAST has built bridges country would need a “revolution” to between Egypt and the United transform it from a resource-based States, even during times when rela- economy to a knowledge-based econ- tions were tenuous.” Because of omy. AMIDEAST, the first lady went on to say, “many Egyptian students have U.S. Assistant Secretary of State benefited from the scholarships that for Educational and Cultural Affairs, have enabled them to study in the Dina Habib Powell, paid tribute to United States, realizing their dreams. AMIDEAST. In her keynote address, They have now returned home to take Dina Habib Powell, Assistant Secretary of she praised AMIDEAST as a on their role in the development of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, “symbol of excellence in international our society.” interviewing at the Anniversary Gala. education” and “a bridge of under- Minister Helal opened the session standing” between the American and During the symposium the following with an address that described his Egyptian people. The Egyptian-born day, Egyptian and American leaders in government’s efforts to introduce Powell, who oversees U.S. Depart- the fields of business and education broad educational reforms, particu- ment of State-sponsored international focused on factors that will determine larly in science education and educational and cultural exchange Egypt’s economic future, including soft-skills training. He said that the programs, underscored the importance education, training in the skills “It is clear that AMIDEAST will of these programs to strengthening needed in the marketplace, interna- continue to build bonds between our relations between the U.S. and Egypt. tional educational exchange, and countries and train future leaders in “It is clear that AMIDEAST will prospects for creating new jobs in business and government” continue to build bonds between our Egypt’s growing economy. - Dina Habib Powell, U.S. Assistant countries and train future leaders in Secretary of State business and government,” she added. Morocco Hosts Fulbright Alumni Conferences

The Fulbright Association and the Moroccan Fulbright Alumni Association joined forces, and together with the Moroccan Ameri- can Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange and the U.S. Department of State, organized five days of programming for Fulbright alumni from around the world in Marrakesh, Morocco from November 3—7, 2006. The 29th Annual Conference of the Fulbright Association kicked off the alumni events from November 3—5, 2007, and the Moroccan Fulbright Alumni Conference followed from November 6—7, 2007. Both conferences were open to Fulbright alumni from around the world. Kate DeBoer and Elisa O’Keefe from AMIDEAST/Washington, DC and Fouzia El Azhari from AMIDEAST/Rabat attended.

29th Annual Conference of the shops offered during the conference tional Understanding, spoke during Fulbright Association: Fulbright ranging from “Women and Civil Soci- the Annual Banquet on November 4, Alumni: Expressions in Civil Society ety” to “Expressions of Cultures on 2006. Mr. Ahtisaari, a career diplo- Curricula.” Workshop panelists were mat, has served as peacemaker in The 29th Annual Conference of the largely comprised of Fulbright alumni some of the world’s most troubled Fulbright Association opened with a and current professors and academics. areas. He spoke of his unique role as reception, hosted by the Moroccan After each session, participants Special Envoy of the Secretary- American Commission for Educa- networked with their Fulbright peers General of the United Nations for the tional and Cultural Exchange and made connections with future status process of Kosovo. The (MACECE). Evelyn A. Early, Public colleagues from around the world. next day, during the plenary lunch- Affairs Counselor from the U.S. eon, Alex Counts, Fulbright alumnus Embassy in Rabat, delivered special Marrti Ahtisaari, former president of and president and CEO of Grameen welcome remarks. Over the next two Finland and recipient of the 2000 J. Foundation USA (GFUSA), spoke of days, there were a variety of work- William Fulbright Prize for Interna- his time as a Fulbrighter and his May 2007 Edition Page 3 training under Grameen Bank founder tures, and still life paintings, created fundraising efforts and was able to and managing director, Dr. Muham- by Fulbright alumni from around the provide a delicious lunch near the mad Yunus, a Fulbright fellow to the world. The opening reception was Palais de Congres and a tour of Mar- United States in 1965-1966 and the attended by the U.S. Ambassador to rakesh. The conference concluded 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Mr. the Kingdom of Morocco, Thomas with a 1001 Nights Moroccan folklore Counts has been recognized for lead- Riley. dinner. ing an organization that greatly contributes to reducing poverty, galva- The workshop focused on the repre- Congratulations to the Fulbright Asso- nizes resources for its mission, and sentation of Morocco in Western film, ciation and the Moroccan Fulbright plans for sustainability. literature, and art. Workshop panelists Alumni Association for hosting such were comprised of Moroccan and an enriching experience! The Fulbright Association, with the American professors and academics support of the U.S. Department of who spoke about the myth and GRANT OPPORTUNITY State, sponsored a global Fulbright mystique associated with Morocco in Alumni Technical Assistance Seminar Western art, such as in works by Apply to win a Fulbright Alumni for representatives of national Ful- Matisse, Shakespeare, and Joyce. Development Grant! bright alumni associations and alumni Ahmed Radi, a presenter and alumnus AMIDEAST awards bi-annual grants up groups forming associations. The of the Moroccan Joint Supervision to $2,500 for Fulbright alumni to attend seminar offered capacity-building for program, discussed Marjorelle’s repre- a professional conference or seminar, conduct a collaborative research project, the leaders of alumni associations sentation of Morocco as rich and complete a short-term training pro- around the world. Panelists discussed artistic on the one hand, but influ- gram, or participate in a professional ways to promote the Fulbright enced by French colonialism and visit with colleagues in their field. program, best practices in alumni Eligibility Requirements: association building, public relations, fundraising and leadership develop- • Applicants must be alumni of the ment. Participants asked questions Fulbright Foreign Student Program administered by AMIDEAST. specifically about the development of their country’s alumni association and • Applicants must have fulfilled their talked with other participants about two-year home residency require- ment. their own unique situations. Rick

Ruth, from the U.S. Department of THE NEXT ROUND OF APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN State, spoke about the alumni Professor Hassan Mekouar, middle, being association resources available on SEPTEMBER 2007 honored as International Conference Chair. the State Alumni Website (https:// For a complete list of grant guidelines, alumni.state.gov). The Fulbright Asso- constructed within an Orientalist please visit the AMIDEAST website at: ciation will soon publish a best framework, on the other hand. http://www.amideast.org/ programs_services/exchange_programs/ practices manual intended to help fulbright/grants/guidelines.htm alumni associations strengthen their Hassan Mekouar, President of the Mo- capacity. roccan Fulbright Alumni Association, Online applications are encouraged. Please contact Elisa O’Keefe at delivered the opening address. He [email protected] with any ques- Moroccan Fulbright Alumni Confer- spoke about the development of their tions. ence: Morocco in Western Art alumni association and of the initial Recent awards have funded: attendance difficulties in organizing an interna- at an Information and Knowledge Man- The Moroccan Fulbright Alumni Con- tional conference. However, they were agement conference in Arlington, Vir- ference began with a special art able to successfully organize a large ginia; community-based urban social research with colleagues in Washington, exhibit entitled “Bridging Cultures event with little institutional support DC; participation in a conference enti- through Art: A Fulbright Alumni Art and no permanent staff. In fact, the tled Linguistics in the 21st Century: Per- Exhibition.” The exhibit included a Moroccan Fulbright Alumni Associa- spectives and Challenges” in Athens, Georgia. variety of artwork, photographs, sculp- tion was quite successful in their Fulbright Focus Page 4 National Security Language Initiative

In January 2006, President Bush launched the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) to further strengthen national security and prosperity in the 21st century through strategic language learning. Foreign language skills are essential to engaging foreign governments and peoples, especially in critical world regions, to encourage reform, promote understanding and convey respect for other cultures. These skills are also essential to the economic competitiveness of the nation. The NSLI initiative focuses resources on improving language learning across the educational spectrum and emphasize the need to achieve mastery of critical lan- guages.

The NSLI initiative will dramatically increase the number of Americans learning critical need foreign languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, Farsi and others through new and expanded programs from kindergarten through university and into the workforce. The President requested $114 million in FY07 to fund this effort, of which $26.7 million will support programs managed by the Department of State. The NSLI Initiative is a coordinated U.S. federal government program that includes the Department of Education, Department of Defense, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of State.

State Department programs are providing new opportunities for American high school students, teachers, undergradu- ates and graduate students to study critical need languages abroad and are strengthening foreign language teaching in the U.S. through exchanges and professional development. Programs include:

Intensive Summer Language Institutes: Awards scholarships for intensive overseas summer language institutes. There were 4,200 applications for 167 critical language scholarships for beginning, intermediate, and advanced study in Arabic, Indic and Turkic languages in 2006. Institutes in Chinese, Korean, Russian and Persian will be added in 2007. Open to American undergraduate and graduate students.

Gilman Scholarships: Provides financial support to pursue overseas study in critical need language countries in semester or one-year programs for college credit. Supporting more than 200 students in 2006-2007. Open to American under- graduates who are Pell grant recipients (financially-needy).

U.S. Fulbright Student Program: Provides up to six months of intensive critical language training before the regular Fulbright grant period begins. This year, forty awards were made for study in Arabic, Indic and Turkic languages. In 2007, will expand to include Chinese, Korean, Russian and Persian languages.

Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants: Provides teaching assistants in critical need languages to U.S. universi- ties, colleges and high schools by bringing native speaking teachers to the United States for one academic year at the beginning of their careers. More than 200 critical language teaching assistants have been placed in U.S. classrooms in 2006.

Teacher Exchange: Provides critical need language teachers to U.S. secondary schools by bringing native speaking teachers to the United States for one academic year. Ten Chinese teachers and two Arabic teachers are participating during the 2006-2007 academic year. Also, in 2007, there will be opportunities for American teachers of Chinese to undertake intensive summer study abroad.

Youth Exchanges: (1) Summer Language Institutes: Provides U.S. high school students the opportunity to study foreign languages abroad in intensive six- to eight-week summer institutes. In 2006, 46 American students studied Chinese and Arabic in Beijing, Amman, and Cairo, with plans for expanding the program in 2007; (2) Academic Semester or Year Abroad: Will provide U.S. high school students the opportunity to spend high school semester or year abroad studying critical need languages in Russia, China, Turkey, India, and the Arab world.

For more information on the NSLI Initiative visit www.exchanges.state.gov/nsll. May 2007 Edition Page 5 Alumni News & Notes

BAHRAIN the United Nations Headquarters in came the Chief Medical Physicist at New York City. the King Hussein Cancer Center in Emma Salari – 2003-2005, Master of Amman, in April 2006. In Business Administration, University of JORDAN June 2006 she obtained the American North Texas – is a portfolio manager Board of Radiology certification in the at Ahli United Bank and a part-time Radi Annab – 1998-2000, Master of specialty of Therapeutic Physics mak- professor of finance and economics at Business Administration, Georgetown ing her the only Jordanian citizen to New York Institute of Technology. University – is the Associate Director hold this board certification.

She received an award of recognition of Business Development for AIG Fadi Bouri – 2004-2006, Master of from the Prime Minister of Bahrain Global Investment Group in Dubai, Business Administration in Invest- during a national Education Day cere- . He recently ment Management, Willamette Uni- mony. Emma is the proud mother of a passed the Chartered Financial Ana- versity – graduated with highest hon- seven-month-old son. lyst Level II examination and is pres- ors, Beta Gamma Sigma, Pi Alpha Al- ently sitting for the Level III exam in pha, and Dean's Award for academic, EGYPT June 2007. professional, and community develop- Rawya Rageh – 2005-2006, Master of Rasha Bader – 2002-2004, Master of ment. He recently joined the invest- Science in Broadcast Journalism, Co- Business Administration, Vanderbilt ment banking division of Rasmala lumbia University – is a news pro- University – is a freelance manage- Investments, operating out of Dubai ducer for Al-Jazeera English. After ment consultant focusing on strategy International Financial Center in Du- graduation, Rawya briefly returned to and marketing. bai, United Arab Emirates. He focuses the Associated Press, where she was primarily on single private equity employed before her Masters pro- Susanne Ramadan – 1995-1997, Ph.D. deals, mergers and acquisitions, and gram. She worked in Baghdad from in Modern and Contemporary Ameri- private placements. Fadi represented July through September 2006 covering can Literature with a focus on F. Scott Willamette MBA at the MBA World the Anfal genocide Fitzgerald, Pennsylvania State Univer- Forum in Dubai, UAE, and Cairo, trial. Rawya recently moved to Doha, sity – is currently employed in the Egypt in December. Qatar and began working with Al- English Department at Yarmouk Uni- Jazeera English network – the first all- versity, Jordan and working on a pro- Ashraf Al Daoud – 2003-2005, Master news international network to broad- motion to Associate Professor. Her in Computer Systems Engineering, cast from the heart of the Middle East. research interests have expanded to Boston University – is pursuing a include 19th century American dark Ph.D. in Computer Engineer- Abeya Mokhtar – 2004-2006, Master vision writers, 20th century drama, ing at Boston University. He received of Arts in Economics, University of feminism, 20th century Arab women the 2005-2006 Dean's Research Fel- Illinois-Chicago – is an assistant eco- writers, and 19th century British litera- lowship from the College of Engineer- nomics lecturer. ture. ing at Boston University. His recent article, "Loss-Cognizant Pricing in Ahmed El Demery – 2005-2006, Lubna Qunash - 2003-2005, Master of Networks with Greedy Users,” will LL.M. in Intercultural Human Rights, Business Administration/Master of appear in an early 2007 edition of Ele- St. Thomas University – is working as Arts, The George Washington Univer- sevier International Journal of Com- the Prosecutor General of Egypt, Divi- sity – is now a private equity analyst. puter and Telecommunications Net- sion of International Cooperation and She recently received her Chartered working. Ashraf will join a Boston Human Rights. He is responsible for Financial Analyst title. University team of volunteers investigating and prosecuting severe in spring break 2007 to work with cases of human rights violations. He Shada Wadi-Ramahi – 1998-2000, "Building Together (RT)" in Omaha, has been selected for an internship at Ph.D. in Medicinal and Pharmaceuti- Nebraska to rebuild and repair homes cal Chemistry, Rush University – be- for the elderly and disabled. Fulbright Focus Page 6

Raghda Quandour – 2001-2003, Mas- received her Masters in Animal Sci- Nadia Manasfi – 2005-2006, Master of ter of Arts in Conflict Transformation ence from Oklahoma State University. Arts in Learning Science, Northwest- and Organizational Leadership, East- Pauline is a recipient of the 2006 ern University – recently moved to ern Mennonite University – is in the President Leadership and Service Rec- Frankfurt, Germany to start a job as a process of establishing a not-for-profit ognition Award at Oklahoma State project coordinator assistant for a pro- leadership organization which will University and has published five ject entitled "Establishment of a Mid- provide knowledge, skills, and re- peer-reviewed journal articles in the dle Eastern Biodiversity Research, search to meet leadership challenges in Journal of Endocrinology, Domestic Training, and Conservation Network.” Jordan. Since graduating, Ragdha has Animal Endocrinology, and Peptides. The project is funded by the German worked for the U.K. International De- government and aims to bring to- velopment Department (DFID), where Yahya Anouti – 2004-2006, Master of gether German, Lebanese, Jordanian, she managed the small grants scheme Science in Mining and Mineral Engi- and Yemeni scientists conducting re- and helped in the closure of the DFID neering, University of Texas at Austin search on Middle Eastern biodiversity. office at the Embassy in Jordan; man- – is a consultant with Booz Allen Nadia is keen on starting her own re- aged a U.S. State Department-funded Hamilton in . search in the field soon and hopes pilot project on “Media Education and to contribute to Lebanon despite doing Democracy” in Jordan; compiled the Rim Lakkis – 2004-2006, Master of so from a distance. Jordan 2004 Conflict Prevention Indi- Engineering in Electrical and Com- cators; designed and conducted con- puter Engineering, University of Ari- Youssef A. Haddad – 2000-2001, non- flict management training to bank zona – is an IT administrator with degree research, University of Texas at branch managers; and coordinated the Schneider Electric Lebanon. She Austin Department of Education – has Near East South Asia Center for Strate- writes, “during the war in Lebanon, been a Ph.D. candidate in the Linguis- gic Studies’ (NESA) inaugural confer- we all thought we wanted to leave the tics Program at University of Florida ence in Jordan. country. But I realize now that war is since 2004. He expects to graduate in over that my country needs me more summer 2007. His dissertation deals Issa Sasa – 1992-1994, Master in Pedi- than ever.” with South Asian languages. Youssef atric Dentistry, University of Iowa – is recently received the Russell Disserta- currently the head of Pediatric Den- Fadia Jradi – 2005-2006, Master in tion Fellowship from the College of tistry at Tawam Hospital, Al-Ain, International Economic Development, Liberal Arts and Sciences for Spring United Arab Emirates. Issa is the re- Southern New Hampshire State Uni- 2007. He and his wife, Soraya, wel- cipient of the 2005-2006 American versity – is an income generation offi- comed their new daughter, Elena, on Academy of Pediatric Dentistry cer in the Microfinance Program of November 1, 2006. "Outstanding Lecture of the Year" the United Nations Relief and Works award. Agency (UNRWA). Fadia credits the Makram Geha – 2002-2003, non- Fulbright program for advancing her degree research, University of Ne- LEBANON intellectual, professional, and aca- braska-Lincoln – is a Ph.D. student in demic levels, which ultimately lead to Animal Breeding and Genetics at the Charbel Antonios - 2003-2004, non- a promotion as program manager. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He degree research, Virginia Tech Univer- was named a Young Dairy Scholar and sity – is an instrumentation and con- Karma Ekmekji – 2005-2006, Master of was an invited speaker at the Ameri- trol engineer in Dar el Handasah, Public Administration, Columbia Uni- can Dairy Science Association Mid- Lebanon. versity – participated in the Rick west meeting in Des Moines, Iowa Hooper Fellowship Program at the from March 19-21, 2007. Pauline Y. Aad – 2002-2003, non- United Nations Headquarters Depart- degree research, Oklahoma State Uni- ment of Political Affairs from Septem- MOROCCO versity – is a Ph.D. student in Animal ber 2006 to March 2007. Karma will Breeding and Reproduction at Okla- be getting married on July 7, 2007. Maria Hanzazi – 1994-1996, Master of homa State University. She expects to Arts in Literature, Fairleigh Dickinson graduate in Fall 2008. In 2005 she University – is currently an EFL May 2007 Edition Page 7 teacher at the Language Center of Al worker, Chinese doctor, and Ameri- SYRIA Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Mo- can Peace Corps volunteer. rocco. She coordinates a course titled Antranig Dirkrikouryan – 2003-2005, “Academic Listening, Speaking and Ziad Ghanimi – 2004-2006, Master of Master of Fine Arts in 3D Computer Note-taking.” Maria was awarded a Advertising, University of Florida – is Animation, Academy of Art – has Fulbright Alumni Development Grant a Ph.D. candidate at the University of been working as an animator in the in 2004 to become a certified TOEFL Florida. He was nominated best inter- field of advertising. During his stay in teacher from San Diego State Univer- national student by the Faculty of the the U.S. he won a Spring Show Ani- sity. She is looking at the option of College of Journalism and Communi- mation award during a 2005 festival. publishing an ESL textbook called cation. Ziad spent the summer of His short film graduation project was “Learning English through Fiction 2006 in India volunteering for Project recently accepted to the Castelli Ani- Film, the Documentary Film, and the Concern International – an American mati Animation Festival in Italy. Animated Film.” NGO focusing on HIV/AIDS, street children, empowerment of women, M. Jawdat Audeh - 2000-2002, Master Mina El Glaoui – 1986-1988, Master of and vocational training. The project of Arts in English Language Teaching, Science in Broadcasting, Boston Uni- was funded by the Coca-Cola World Georgia State University – currently versity – owns a company specializing Citizenship Program at the University provides educational consultation to in cultural and fashion event organi- of Florida. international schools in zation. She is seeking collaboration regarding their educational content with artists and designers interested in Meriem El Harouchi – 2001-2003, and materials. He is also introducing taking part in collective events. Master of Arts in International Rela- U.S. and U.K. school programs to pri- tions and International Economics, vate national schools, particularly Layla Barrit – 2000-2002, Master of Johns Hopkins University School of math, science, and English for the first Science in Computer Science, Case Advanced International Studies – is a time in Saudi Arabia. After lecturing Western Reserve University – is an IT delegate of the European Commission in Syrian Virtual University (2003), manager at Brink’s Morocco. in Egypt focusing on good govern- King Saud University (2004), and the ance, rule of law, and human rights. Institute of Public Administration Lina Laraki – 2002-2003, LL.M., New (2005), Jawdat made a slight move York University School of Law – was Abdallah Malki – 1993-1996, Indiana away from teaching into educational admitted to the New York bar as an University – is currently a professor consultancy by working for Pearson attorney in 2004 and to the French bar and an associate dean for scientific Education, the world's leading educa- as an Avocat à la Cour in 2005. After research, cooperation, and student tion company. He is the U.S./U.K. her LL.M. she worked for an interna- affairs. He is in the process of pub- Schools Educational Consultant and tional law firm in Casablanca before lishing a book by the School of Arts Sales and Marketing Executive. moving to , where she specialized and Humanities in Meknes, Morocco. in cross-border matters at a Franco- Ahmed N. Almansour – 1997-1999, American law firm. In summer 2005, Karim Laraki – 1983-1986, Cornell Master of Arts, Arizona State Univer- she moved to Zurich to become a University – is a Senior Economic Af- sity – began Ph.D. studies in English compliance officer at Zurich Financial fairs Officer at the United Nations. in 1999 at the Ohio State University. Services. In 2003 he took a leave from his pro- OMAN gram to conduct research and deliver Najlae Benmbarek – 2004-2006, Mas- lectures in Saudi Arabia. He finished ter of Science in Journalism, Univer- Said Al-Riyami – 2003-2005, Master his Ph.D. studies in 2005 and is now sity of California-Berkeley – is work- of Business Administration in Interna- an assistant professor of English in the ing at Grand Angle magazine in Mo- tional Business, University of Texas at Department of English at King Saud rocco. Her first journalistic piece was El Paso – is the office director for the University. a forty-two minute segment on for- Executive President of the Oman eign volunteers in Morocco. Her Medical Specialty Board. Mohammad Naffakh – 1999-2001, characters were a French social Master of Business Administration, Fulbright Focus Page 8

Duquesne University – currently runs California-Berkeley on water econom- Reem Musleh – 2001-2003, Ph.D., a personal consulting business. He is ics. Michigan State University – has been an institutional modernization and working as a researcher, trainer, and development expert, working with Mounir Khélifa – 1990-1995, Master of environmental engineer at Birzeit EuropeAid projects for Syria and exe- Arts, Ph.D. in English, Yale University University, West Bank since Decem- cuting other personal consulting pro- – is a professor of English literature. ber 2005. jects in Syria and the region. Since He has been appointed as an advisor to returning from the U.S. four years ago, the Minister of Higher Education. Ruba Khalil – 2004-2006, Master of his career has been mainly divided Business Administration, Sam Houston between institutional development Khaled Barkaoui – 2002-2003, non- State University – is managing a re- consulting and interim management degree research, University of Illinois form project for the United Nations for private companies. He is working at Urbana-Champaign – is a Ph.D. stu- Development Program: Program of to clearly define the interim manage- dent at the University of Toronto, Assistance to the Palestinian People ment concept as a subcategory among Canada. (UNDP/PAPP). The project aims at the management consulting business increasing revenue generation options services. Mohammad has managed: Wael Aguir - 2003-2005, Master of as well as enhancing decentralization ALAKARIA, a mid-size startup in the Arts in Accounting, Texas Tech Uni- at the Palestinian local government. real estate market; Future Switch, a versity – is currently pursuing Ph.D. small IT company; and IMT, a small studies at the University of Texas-San Belal Abu-Hijleh – 2003-2005, Master high tech contracting company. Antonio. of Business Administration, Sam Hous- ton State University – recently ac- Mais Khlaifat – 2001-2002, LL.M., Jamel Jemni – 2003-2004, non-degree cepted the chief financial officer posi- University of Houston Law Center – is research, University of South Florida – tion of the Coca-Cola National Bever- head of the legal section at the Execu- is currently an assistant in the Faculty age Company. He hopes this new po- tive Privatization Commission. of Letters and Humanities in Sfax, Tu- sition will enhance his professional nisia. Jamel is very interested in cul- career and provide him the opportu- Nadwa Al-Jundi – 1998-2000, Master tural exchange and has been working nity to reflect on the knowledge and of Arts, Georgia State University – is with his wife on homestay programs skills he acquired during his stay in an assistant professor in the English mainly in the U.K. and Malta. He and the U.S. Department at Tishreen University in his wife believe in investing in the Lattakia, Syria. She earned a Ph.D. in younger generation to ensure a more Abdallah Kurraz – 2000-2001, Master English Literature at Middle Tennes- promising future. They already began in Modern American and Postmodern see State University in Murfreesboro, their first summer camp for teenagers Literature, Indiana University of Tennessee in 2005. Her dissertation in Chaffar, Sfax, in collabora- Pennsylvania – is the deputy-chairman was titled, “Bridging East and West: tion with the Florida History Program of the English Department at Al-Azhar Dispacement as Social Critique in Lord at the University of South Florida. University in Gaza. He is also deputy Byron's and P.B. Shelley's Orientalist dean of the Faculty of Intermediate Works." WEST BANK/GAZA Studies for Academic Affairs. He teaches courses on 19th and 20th cen- TUNISIA Rami Hamarna – 2003-2005, Master of tury American literature and literary Public Health/Health Management criticism. Abdallah is working on a Karim Souidi – 2003-2004, non-degree and Policy, University of North Texas number of research papers to be pub- research, University of California- – is a health coordination officer at the lished in different journals. Berkeley Department of Agricultural World Health Organization (WHO). and Resource Economics – received After returning from the U.S., he Ismat Mikky - 1997-1999, Master in the Fulbright Alumni Development worked with the Italian Cooperation Nursing Education, University of Grant in June 2006 to conduct collabo- as a health projects officer in the Gaza Hartford – is an assistant professor rative research at the University of Strip before joining the WHO. at the Islamic University of Gaza and University of Connecticut School of May 2007 Edition Page 9

Nursing. He completed a Ph.D. in (PIF) headquarters in Ramallah in (IIE) in San Francisco. It is nursing from the University of Con- August 2006. Rasem assists the CEO implemented by SOUL for the necticut in April 2006. His recent and provides legal and policy advice in Development of Women and awards include the Carolyn Ladd managing a $1.2 billion portfo- Children. The program provides Widmer Research Award in acknowl- lio. Additionally, Rasem manages scholarships for women in basic and edgement of excellence in the field of PIF's North America portfolio. advance computer skills. This year nursing research, May 2006; and the she received a fellowship through the Mary & Katherine Connelly Nursing Mohammed Mosheer Amer – 2001- Netherlands Fellowships Program, Scholarship Fund, September 2003. 2003, Master of Arts in TESOL, St. sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Michael’s College – received a Ph.D. Foreign Affairs & International Asem Qamhiyeh – 2004 – 2006, Mas- research scholarship in linguistics at Cooperation, to attend a four-week ter of Science in Accounting and In- the University of Melbourne in Aus- course in program management and formation Systems, University of tralia. He is currently in the second administration in Ede, Holland. Texas at Arlington – now works as an year of his studies and plans to finish IT auditor for Deloitte and Touche in by early 2008. Mohialdeen Alotumi – 2004-2006, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Master in TESOL, Murray State Uni- Nihad M K Almughany – 1989-1990, versity – teaches in the Department of Imad Abu Jebara – 2004-2006, Master Master of Architecture, Catholic Uni- English at Lebanese International of Business Administration and Master versity of America – is now assistant University. He received a certificate of Science in Management Informa- to the mayor for urban planning and of recognition from the EU during an tion Systems, Auburn University – is building control for the Municipality election observation mission. currently working as a consultant. of Gaza. He is also acting head of the His titles include Certified Manage- Architecture Department at Palestine Adel Al-Dhahab – 2004-2005, Master ment Accountant (CMA) and Certi- University. Nihad received a Ful- of International Law, Northwestern fied Financial Manager (CFM). bright Alumni Development Grant for University – currently works as a legal collaborative research. He is also consultant. Nadia Abdulhaq – 2000-2002, Ph.D. in working to publish a book about the Speech Language Pathology and Audi- prevailing planning and building Wael A. Makki – 2004-2005, Master ology, University of Florida – is an regulations in Gaza. of Business Administration, Monterey assistant professor at the University of Institute of International Studies – is Jordan College of Rehabilitation Sci- an operations officer with the Interna- ences, Speech and Hearing Depart- tional Finance Cooperation of the ment. Her awards at the University of Abu-Bakr Al-Hamid – 1992-1994, World Bank Group. His program has Florida include: Gibson Dissertation Master of Arts in English Literature, trained more than 9,000 small and Fellowship, 2005; Outstanding Aca- Simmons College – completed a Ph.D. medium sized enterprises. Wael was demic Achievement, 2005; Grinter in comparative literature in 2005. He married on August 24, 2006. Fellowship, 2002-2004; and the O. is now teaching literature and transla- Ruth McQuown Scholarship for tion at Aden University, Yemen.

Women, 2002. Lina A. Al-Eryani – 2003-2005, Rasem Kamal – 1999-2000, LL.M., Master of Arts in International

University of San Francisco School of Development and Social Change, Law – is currently working as a law- Clark University – is now working as yer. After working three years for the a program manager for the Women in USAID West Bank and Gaza Mission, Technology Program (WIT) in during which he managed and led Yemen. This program is funded by If you would like to be included in the USAID's justice sector reform efforts the Middle East Partnership Initiative next edition of Fulbright Focus send in the West Bank and Gaza, Rasem (MEPI) under the supervision of the your update to Elisa O’Keefe at joined the Palestine Investment Fund Institute of International Education [email protected]. Fulbright Focus Page 10

A Virginia Tech Fulbright alumnus offers his reflections

I want to extend my deepest, sincerest, and most profound sympathies to the families of the Virginia Tech victims. I want to ask Allah to grant those families and the university community patience and strength during this hard time and protect us all with his mercy. I was at my sister's home when I first heard about this horrible shooting. I was shocked to see all the causalities among my fellow students. My tears started to fall at this horrific news. Immediately, the beautiful moments I had spent at Virginia Tech jumped back to mind. When the Fulbright interview committee told me that I had been selected as a candidate for the Fulbright fellowship, they asked me to start to researching American universities. A friend of mine had studied at Virginia Tech with a Fulbright grant and he recommend that I apply there as well since it has a strong Engineering program. In addition, when I asked my relative, who is a professor at University of Ohio, about Virginia Tech, he told me people will “raise their hats in respect when they hear that you graduated from Virginia Tech.” My family and I have good memories from our time at Virginia Tech. We used to go to the practice field on holidays to enjoy the quietness and peacefulness of the place—my children and I used to have running competitions there and some- times I won and the sometimes they did. I remember a time when we were at the practice field that a police officer in his patrol car shouted to us the Islamic greeting "Asslmou Alikoum" that means peace upon you. My children and my wife were so surprised to hear this greeting in Arabic and on the Virginia Tech campus. I think he got to know that this is a typical Middle East greeting and he wanted to make us feel safe and warm by using it. Suddenly, this quiet and peaceful place turned into a scary one. I spent most of my time at Virginia Tech at McBride Hall, which is just next to Norris Hall where the shootings occurred. While I was never afraid, I sometimes came to my office at McBride early in the morning or left after midnight and used to wait for my wife to pick me up from there. Unexpectedly, I saw that exact place on the TV screen--full of law enforcement officials and ambulances. It was so sad to see that it was in that place where some of my fellow students lost their lives while others were carried out to the hospitals. It was a terrible thing to watch that safe and beautiful place going through all that chaos and sadness. I pray to Allah to make the Virginia Tech campus again a peaceful one. A place where people with different nationalities and cultures continue to meet, get to know each other, build forever last standing relationships, and exchange the message of peace for all the people on the earth. Again, my deepest condolences and solidarity go to victims' families and to all of those who were affected by the horrible shooting. -Muhammad Abu Saqer is a Fulbright alumnus from Gaza. He received a Master of Science in Computer Science from Virginia Tech in 2005.

Department of State Announces New made by the Presidentially appointed International Fulbright Science and Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Technology Award AMIDEAST is pleased to announce that two winners from the Middle East and Designed to provide top-level students in science and tech- North Africa were chosen for this pres- nology with the U.S. government’s most prestigious and tigious scholarship. One comes from Lebanon and will be a valuable scholarship, this new Fulbright award for Ph.D. Ph.D. candidate in biomedical engineering and the other is study at America’s leading universities was created to at- from Egypt and will be a Ph.D. candidate in mechanical tract the most highly qualified young women and men to engineering. the world’s preeminent higher education institutions. Winners were chosen through a rigorous, multi-tiered, Additional Information/Application Materials merit-based selection process consisting of in-country Please contact the U.S. Embassy (http://usembassy.state.gov/) competition and review, field and discipline merit review or Fulbright Commission (http://www.exchanges.state.gov/ by top-level U.S. academic leaders, and nomination by a education/fulbright/list.htm) in your country of citizenship blue ribbon Advisory Panel, including a Nobel Laureate for additional information or application materials. and university deans and presidents. Final selection was May 2007 Edition Page 11 Field Office & U.S. Embassy Updates

Bahrain instructional design, petroleum engineering, and nursing edu- Bahrain has thirteen nominees for the fall 2007 semester. cation. Other fields include human resources and TESOL. Fields of study include library science, international affairs, biotechnology and entrepreneurship. In November, Program Saudi Arabia Officer Jody Griffin and Program Assistant Megan Worley Saudi Arabia is in its second year with the Fulbright program conducted a post-nomination orientation for the new nomi- and has selected ten nominees. Their fields of study are diverse nees via video conference. Nominees had an opportunity to and include intellectual property law, oral science, and bio- ask questions about placements, finalizations, and the Ful- logical computation. The nominees are also interested in fields bright program. such as media consulting and English literature.

Egypt Syria AMIDEAST is currently placing thirty nominees from Egypt AMIDEAST is placing twelve nominees from Syria in U.S. at U.S. universities for the fall 2007 semester. The fields of universities. Their fields of study are quite diverse and include study range from landscape architecture to linguistics to inter- comparative literature, information technology, and applied national communication. Program Officer Stephanie D’Souza mathematics. traveled to Cairo in December and conducted a post- nomination orientation for all the new nominees. She guided Tunisia them through the university selection and finalization process AMIDEAST is currently placing ten Tunisian nominees in U.S. and spent time individually going over their goals. universities for the fall 2007 semester. These nominees are interested in pursuing degree and non-degree studies in fields Lebanon such as entomology, finance, and conflict resolution. Despite difficult conditions in Lebanon this year, AMIDEAST is placing twelve nominees at U.S. universities. The nominees West Bank/Gaza come from a variety of disciplines, including food manage- The West Bank has nominated twelve candidates for the 2007 ment, broadcast journalism, and orchestral conducting. academic year. There are several nominees interested in tradi- tional fields such as business administration, information sys- tems, and TESOL. Other non-traditional fields include plant The Fulbright program in Libya is in its first year under the pathology and interior design. The Gaza office has nominated auspices of the U.S. Embassy. There are twelve nominees with eleven candidates for fall 2007. The nominees have a strong an array of academic interests in the health fields, including interest in computer, civil, and environmental engineering. public health, epidemiology, and health administration. Other Other fields of study include physical therapy and American fields include economics, political science, and electrical engi- literature. neering. United Arab Emirates Morocco Under the auspices of the U.S. embassy, this will be the first The twelve Moroccan nominees are interested in the fields of year that the United Arab Emirates is participating in the Ful- business administration, anthropology, geography, and bioen- bright program. They have selected two candidates who will gineering. Program Coordinator Kate DeBoer and Program be seeking graduate degrees in business administration and Officer Elisa O’Keefe traveled to Rabat in November and led a communications. post-nomination orientation for the new nominees. They re- viewed the university selections, placement, and finalization Yemen process with the nominees. AMIDEAST is currently placing eleven Masters Degree nomi- nees from Yemen. Their interests include nursing administra- Oman tion, health education, NGO management, TESOL, and inter- Oman has selected eleven nominees for the 2007 fall semester. national development. These nominees have a variety of academic interests including

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