USAID Lebanon Mission Director Julie Southfield, currently serving as the US Embassy in Beirut’s Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, recognized 180 students from Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) for their academic achievements, made possible in part, through financial assistance provided by the United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Lebanon. NDU President Reverend Father Bechara Khoury, along with representatives from NDU faculty and staff, joined the event that took place at NDU campus in Zouk Mosbeh.
This assistance supports many Lebanese families who are experiencing financial constraints caused by the devastating effects of the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s event is part of the Higher Education Financial Aid (HEFA)’s USD 2.85 million initiative designed to alleviate the financial burdens of university students from vulnerable families. Through this program, USAID has provided financial aid to 376 undergraduate students at NDU to-date, covering up to 90 percent of their tuition fees, giving them access to a high-quality higher education and enhancing their future prospects.
“Talent comes from many backgrounds and the United States is really proud to support Lebanon’s youth on their journey to self-reliance,” said USAID Lebanon Mission Director Julie Southfield. “For students in challenging circumstances, access to education is a passport to economic security and a stable future. This financial assistance helps students gain equal opportunities to education and the ability to compete on a more equal footing for jobs and in other crucial areas of life that will benefit the students, their families, and Lebanon.”
Father Khoury highlighted the importance of this initiative saying, “By providing financial support to our students through the HEFA-USAID initiative, we reaffirm our crucial role as a university to nurture a culture of integrity and moral responsibility. Indeed, our ongoing efforts with USAID serve not only as a reminder of our duty towards tomorrow’s leaders but also as a driving force towards positive change within society.”
Today’s event marks the second round of financial aid assistance for NDU students for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Implemented by the Education Development Center, the HEFA Initiative falls under the multi-year (2019-2025) USAID Higher Education Capacity Development (HECD) Program. To date, the HECD Program has supported over 1,100 higher education administrators and instructors from 10 universities in Lebanon with high-quality capacity building and professional development initiatives. HECD helps universities to better prepare their graduates to successfully enter the workforce. Over 13,000 students have so far benefited from the job readiness and training programs offered by the project.