Although I do not agree myself with the selection of one of the honored guests for this year. AUB has been extremely cautious when it comes to relations with Israel over the years. We should thank AUB to sustain a decent position (vis-a-vis the Palestinian cause) at the time where a lot of Arab and Muslim countries are runing toward Israel.
If AUB was dealing differently with the Palestinian cause, it would surely get much more funding from the States.
-----
Dear Members of the AUB Community,
I would like to share with you a personal note, in view of several
e-mails that have been circulating among the faculty and on the alumni
listserv in the wake of the controversy surrounding the recent honorary
degree ceremony at Commencement. In particular, I want to address the
comments relating to this administration's purported agenda related to
Israel.
The first and paramount observation is that AUB has always respected and
complied with the laws of Lebanon, and always will, particularly the
laws prohibiting the normalization of any kind of relations with Israel.
Indeed, this position has come at a cost to some of our faculty members
in recent years, particularly those who have had to give up significant
funding or research partnerships because of the involvement of
third-party partners who had ties to Israeli institutions.
Second, this administration at AUB has no normalization or Zionist
agenda of any kind. Those who make that claim or imply it are simply
wrong on the facts. But raising questions about AUB's presumed Zionist
leanings is a sensational charge that catches the eye, can spread
quickly, and understandably raises deep alarm among Lebanese and others
who have suffered from Israeli depredations.
The circulating messages entitled "Can AUB Find Only Those Complicit
with Zionism to Honor?"--taken straight from the extremist coverage
published by al-Akhbar newspaper‹is a rhetorical question that belies
our history of honoring distinguished Arabs or friends of the Arab world
such as Edward Said, Helen Thomas, and Hanan Ashrawi. In the last three
years alone, the University has honored Walid Khalidi, Dourade Al
Lahham, Eric Rouleau, Mary Robinson, Marcel Khalife, Owen Gingerich,
Mostafa El-Sayed, Anthony Shadid, Wadad Kadi, and Munib Masri. Eight of
these honorees were nominated by our own faculty.
Some have criticized the administration for awarding an honorary degree
to individuals who do not adhere to the Palestine Academic and Cultural
Boycott of Israel campaign, an initiative intended to isolate Israel
from such contacts. I defend the right of those who take such a
position; it is a principled stance, and one that many feel passionate
about. Yet institutional decisions cannot be subordinated to an absolute
litmus test imposed by the demands of outside groups. Otherwise, to
pick just one example, AUB could never have decided to honor Edward
Said, who initiated an acclaimed cultural dialogue through his highly
visible sponsorship of a Palestinian-Israeli youth orchestra.
I was born in Lebanon in the same year as the nakba; like so many of
you, I have never lived in the world without the dreadful specter of
Palestinian dispossession and an expanding Israeli settlement agenda,
which are deeply immoral and ultimately, in my view, self-destructive.
As for AUB, our campus is a precious and protected space where
differences of opinion do‹and must‹exist in a context of mutual respect.
Free speech is fundamentally a core value of AUB and a part of our long
tradition of academic freedom. We will continue to honor it, for every
voice in our community.
The Provost and I will be meeting this coming week with a delegation of
faculty members, who wish to present their petition of disagreement. The
Board of Trustees has also asked me to review the process of vetting
candidates for honorary degrees. I know the faculty delegation speak for
a good number of you reading this message; but I can assure you that we
jointly have only the reputation and good name of our beloved
institution at heart, alongside a profound commitment to AUB's proud
legacy, our home country, Lebanon, and the region we serve.
Peter Dorman
President
Showing posts with label AUB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AUB. Show all posts
Friday, July 06, 2012
Thursday, March 06, 2008
I am Beirut (from my inbox)
I used to be a beautiful city… Some people say I'm still as beautiful as I was before... I don't like me anymore… I scare my kids away… I kill my people unintentionally… I starve them to death… I even turn some of their brightest days to a funeral in a split of a second…Every day I stand there, waving to all these people, mostly young, leaving on these big airplanes… Jealousy kills me, knowing that they will go and enjoy grocery shopping in a street I've never heard of, smiling to a stranger who doesn't even know where their country is… Working hard and becoming successful… I wish they could be here with me, becoming successful with me… I feel helpless without them, thousands and thousands leave, few come back while I sit waiting and waiting and waiting…A girl came to me the other day, young and beautiful… Wearing that white dress made her look like an angel. Stood at the 'Corniche' with a coffee in her hand… She was staring at the sea with words coming out of her eyes'I miss you Beirut.I miss your weather, miss your sea breeze.I miss staring at you at night from my bedroom balcony… when the world is sleeping and there is only you and I miss feeling loved.I miss belonging to you, miss feeling the security… You don't know how hard it is to wake up every morning wondering if your parents or friends are ok, until you read the news and make few phone calls in case there was an explosion… Try harder Beirut…'Tears filled my eyes and anger filled my heart… Didn't know what to say to comfort her! My body is heavy and scattered, my land enjoys blood and every now and then one of my veins explodes and many of my innocent kids die… I can't help it... I try...'I want to come back and live here Beirut, next to my family, next to my dad and brother… I want to raise my kids in Beirut, just the way I was raised… Never knew the difference between a Muslim, a Christian, or a Jew… never heard about terrorism… Want my kids to grow up on discipline, respect, beliefs, freedom… and mostly integrity. What happened to you Beirut? You're no longer the same…I turned and left, didn't want to hear her anymore… She kept calling me but I never answered... She broke my heart, only because she was telling me the truth! I'm no longer Beirut she once enjoyed when she was 4… They took my magic away…Ashamed I am… I starve my people to death; I have no shelter for them anymore, no security, no love among each other… I'm in pain, I want to endure more, maybe, maybe someday my people will understand the pain I'm going thru and help me stand instead of walking all over me… I don't blame them; they are hungry and poor…She left on one of those big airplanes few days later, sad she looked back at me hoping to come back and see me at least in the same condition, but we both knew it was not the case; I screamed and screamed hoping for her to hear me…I order you to come back… Yes I can't promise you security but I promise you that you and me can make it together, come back and bring all those people who once left… because I miss them, miss their faces and their laughs… Come back and fight for me, clean my body from rotten creatures, change the world for me, help me stand… I can't do it alone.I'm your city,I'm your mother,I'm your child,I am Beirut.
Saturday, August 10, 2002
Statement of purpose / letter of intent for an MBA program at a North American University
This is an old document. If you need help with your SOP, let me know. I would be glad to revise yours.
In today’s evolving organizations, computerized systems are becoming crucial to the survival of business. I would like to help in the development and evolution of those systems for use in managing the information resources required for the success of today’s organizations. I am therefore applying for Masters in Information Systems Management at XYZ Univ.
I am expected to complete my bachelor degree in Computer and Communications Engineering in August 1999 from the American University of Beirut (AUB). During my five years of study at AUB, I had a significant exposure to computer programming. In addition, I self taught myself Java, Visual Basic, Web development, Database programming (Access) in order to complement my programming skills. I have a deep understanding of hacking, disassembling, patching and unlocking software.
In the spring of 1998, the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (FEA) drew a contest among the students to design an total web educational system for universities. I entered the contest with three of my colleagues and we succeeded in securing the first prize. We did also present our project at a national fair organized by the ministry of commerce to show excellent projects of the year. Our team got the highest score in the competition ahead of thirty (30) other groups.
Furthermore, during my summer internship in July / August 1998 I worked at NCR, Beirut in the Banking Automation department. I implemented a web scheduling and project management tools to help the team share documents, pictures and information about clients; projects at Lebanese banks. It was very interesting to work with such a team installing the first few Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) in Lebanon back in 1998.
At the turn of the century, all the old companies are forced to move forward by applying the newest high tech tools and trying to cope with the fast pace of the “e-world” we are living in. If this change is not done now, these companies will soon find themselves left behind. I would like to participate in this evolution and be part of it. I want to help enhancing the organizations’ structures to be more efficient by applying the power of information technology to the management process.
Everything now is in the form of databases. From stores, to restaurants; from large companies to small personal business, all rely on databases. The key to a successful business is not necessarily having the fastest computer or latest software but to be able to retrieve the required information from the databases, use it efficiently and supply it smoothly to the customer. A good example is the e-commerce. I like to implement online stores so that businesses will not be bound any longer by time or geography.
By word of mouth, friends at XYZ Univeristy, and Internet web sites, I know that XYZ Univeristy has an excellent reputation worldwide, especially in MIS. I am also fascinated by the versatility and depth of training of the curriculum your program offer and in the way they are shaped to provide the students with the needed technical training and the required management skills. I believe that through the wide variety of courses, team based projects, and career services, the MBA program can help me develop a dynamic career by providing me with the required skills and strategies to become an IT manager.
My work was not limited to studies only. I have a good variety of extra curricular activities. I was behind the chartering of an IEEE student chapter at AUB in 1996 in which I am currently a member of the executive committee. Moreover, I have been a volunteer member in the Lebanese Red Cross Club (LRCC) at AUB for the past two years. I participated in a large number of social activities like helping the orphans of Lebanon and caring for the needs of older adults. I volunteered as a reader for the blind library at AUB. I have been also in the AUB Insights Club since 1997 as an executive member.
I believe that my past experience has given me a good background for such a career and has provided me with a broad exposure to networks and Internet designs. However, it could not give me the possibility to blend both the technical training with the managerial competence. I still need to gain a solid base in marketing and management as well as enhance the technological skills I learned through practice. I would hope to be accepted at your prestigious MBA program to have the opportunity to achieve my goals and be part of the wave of change that will form the leaders of tomorrow's digital arena.
- How to get accepted in an MBA program in North America?
- Work hard to get good GPA at your undergraduate studies.
- Make yourself visible / promote yourself
- Write a nice SOP / Letter of intent / Statement of Purpose
- Write them a convincing letter that you are the best applicant for the year
- Ensure that you list your qualifications and extracurricular achivement
In today’s evolving organizations, computerized systems are becoming crucial to the survival of business. I would like to help in the development and evolution of those systems for use in managing the information resources required for the success of today’s organizations. I am therefore applying for Masters in Information Systems Management at XYZ Univ.
I am expected to complete my bachelor degree in Computer and Communications Engineering in August 1999 from the American University of Beirut (AUB). During my five years of study at AUB, I had a significant exposure to computer programming. In addition, I self taught myself Java, Visual Basic, Web development, Database programming (Access) in order to complement my programming skills. I have a deep understanding of hacking, disassembling, patching and unlocking software.
In the spring of 1998, the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (FEA) drew a contest among the students to design an total web educational system for universities. I entered the contest with three of my colleagues and we succeeded in securing the first prize. We did also present our project at a national fair organized by the ministry of commerce to show excellent projects of the year. Our team got the highest score in the competition ahead of thirty (30) other groups.
Furthermore, during my summer internship in July / August 1998 I worked at NCR, Beirut in the Banking Automation department. I implemented a web scheduling and project management tools to help the team share documents, pictures and information about clients; projects at Lebanese banks. It was very interesting to work with such a team installing the first few Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) in Lebanon back in 1998.
At the turn of the century, all the old companies are forced to move forward by applying the newest high tech tools and trying to cope with the fast pace of the “e-world” we are living in. If this change is not done now, these companies will soon find themselves left behind. I would like to participate in this evolution and be part of it. I want to help enhancing the organizations’ structures to be more efficient by applying the power of information technology to the management process.
Everything now is in the form of databases. From stores, to restaurants; from large companies to small personal business, all rely on databases. The key to a successful business is not necessarily having the fastest computer or latest software but to be able to retrieve the required information from the databases, use it efficiently and supply it smoothly to the customer. A good example is the e-commerce. I like to implement online stores so that businesses will not be bound any longer by time or geography.
By word of mouth, friends at XYZ Univeristy, and Internet web sites, I know that XYZ Univeristy has an excellent reputation worldwide, especially in MIS. I am also fascinated by the versatility and depth of training of the curriculum your program offer and in the way they are shaped to provide the students with the needed technical training and the required management skills. I believe that through the wide variety of courses, team based projects, and career services, the MBA program can help me develop a dynamic career by providing me with the required skills and strategies to become an IT manager.
My work was not limited to studies only. I have a good variety of extra curricular activities. I was behind the chartering of an IEEE student chapter at AUB in 1996 in which I am currently a member of the executive committee. Moreover, I have been a volunteer member in the Lebanese Red Cross Club (LRCC) at AUB for the past two years. I participated in a large number of social activities like helping the orphans of Lebanon and caring for the needs of older adults. I volunteered as a reader for the blind library at AUB. I have been also in the AUB Insights Club since 1997 as an executive member.
I believe that my past experience has given me a good background for such a career and has provided me with a broad exposure to networks and Internet designs. However, it could not give me the possibility to blend both the technical training with the managerial competence. I still need to gain a solid base in marketing and management as well as enhance the technological skills I learned through practice. I would hope to be accepted at your prestigious MBA program to have the opportunity to achieve my goals and be part of the wave of change that will form the leaders of tomorrow's digital arena.
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