UD to host 20 Middle Eastern students

11:23 a.m., July 1, 2004--The University of Delaware’s Center for International Studies will host 20 undergraduate student leaders from the Middle East during a five-week program beginning July 1. The program is funded by the Department of State’s U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).

MEPI’s Undergraduate Institute on Leadership and American Studies is designed to help promote an understanding of American culture abroad, Lesa Griffiths, director of the Center for International Studies, said.

"This is an exciting opportunity for UD faculty and students to share the essence of American culture and migration issues with young students from the Middle East," Bobby Gempesaw, vice provost for Academic and International Programs, said. “I believe this institute will tackle important topics and provide a framework for an enlightened discussion among the participants.”

“These institutes are part of the education pillar and part of the foundation for building relations with Middle Eastern countries based on education,” Sean Cox, associate director of the Center for International Studies, said of the student programs. “The goal is a greater appreciation of America and to help participants understand how we learn in institutions of higher education.”

MEPI is a presidential initiative founded to support economic, political and educational reform efforts in the Middle East and champion opportunity for all people of the region, especially women and youth. The initiative strives to link Arab, U.S. and global private sector businesses, nongovernmental organizations, civil society elements and governments together to develop innovative policies and programs that support reform in the region. More information about MEPI can be found at [www.mepi.state.gov].

The students, selected from applicants in Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Yemen, Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Syria and the West Bank, will live in UD residence halls and participate in University activities while attending seminars and going on regional tours.

UD and Georgetown and Purdue universities were selected to host MEPI’s three Summer 2004 Institutes after a competitive process.

The UD seminars will cover four themes—American norms and attitudes, American enterprise and work, American cultural formation and transmission and American institutions—with input from several academic departments.

“Professor Jim Magee will serve as the institute academic director, and we are very excited to have assembled an outstanding group of faculty and professionals, to be part of the institute,” Griffiths said.

Among the activities planned for the UD group are a barbecue on campus, watching the Phillies play the Orioles on July 3 and a fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day. The Muslim Students' Association will facilitate worship services.

The students also will visit New York City, Philadelphia and UD’s Lewes campus. The visit will conclude with a tour of the Delmarva Peninsula, the Delaware State Fair, Colonial Williamsburg and an aircraft carrier in Norfolk, Va., on their way back to Washington, D.C.

Article by Martin Mbugua

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