In a world that is undergoing substantial ideological, political, and humanitarian crises, it is imperative that educational institutions take the lead in the hope of a better tomorrow. Aware of the power and need for education in the nurturing of a better future, the American University of Rome is invested in the creation of initiatives that directly respond to the global migration crisis that is particularly affecting Italy.
AUR together with Rula Jebreal (award-winning journalist, author, and foreign policy analyst) started the Rula Jebreal Scholarship Fund in 2015 as an initiative that aimed at providing an education that is about liberating the mind and broadening horizons.
With her persistence and investigative instinct, Rula set out for Beirut with our director of admissions to find and personally select candidates for the Rula Jebreal Scholarship Fund. She is invested, as are we, to giving young people a life-changing opportunity through education. With the generosity of various donors, who are committed to making a difference in these times of turmoil we are living, AUR was able to bring three students from Beirut to Rome in January 2017. AUR’s efforts and Ms.Jebreal’s invaluable collaboration have helped expand the project, allowing AUR to provide tuition and living costs for six students from conflict countries (Syria, Palestine, Swaziland, and Egypt).
Supporting the Rula Jebreal Scholarship Fund means playing an active role in asserting the mission of the American University of Rome, not only preparing students to live and work across cultures but allowing these young minds to reclaim their right to an education, and to realize their professional aspirations and dreams.
In 2017, The American University of Rome acknowledged and celebrated Ms. Jebreal's contribution to this scholarship and to the advancement of education generally by awarding her a Doctorate of Letters Honoris Causa. This from the official citation in support of that award.
Since 2015 you have been involved with The American University of Rome where you have used your powerful advocacy skills and international knowledge and connections to create a cohort of scholarships for Syrian refugee students. This program has not only brought new hope to these young victims of the civil war in Syria, but it has broadened the experience of their fellow students at AUR. The impact of the program reaches far beyond the scholarships themselves, it reaches into the future and across borders to help build a more connected and empathic world.
The poet W.H Auden once said that “The most important truths are likely to be those which society at that time least wants to hear.”
So, Rula Jebreal, for voicing things that some people don’t want to hear, for advocating free thinking, for your commitment to empowering youth through education, and for transforming the lives of many by preparing the leaders of tomorrow, we are honored to welcome you into our diverse family, on the recommendation of the Senate and by action of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Rome.
You can read Ms. Jebreal's inspiring acceptance speech here.
Make your contribution to the Refugee and Displaced Person Scholarship here.