LOTUS Scholarship Program, Quarterly Report, FY2014, Quarter 3

Department of State. The program aims to provide scholarships to students from Egypt to pursue higher education in the United States. The program was awarded to IIE/Egypt on May 4, 2010, with funding for 150 scholarships. Two competitive, nationwide outreach, recruitment, and selection cycles resulted in 150 students being selected and joining LOTUS partner universities. Currently, 144 students are enrolled in academic programs, with two students graduating, two students leaving the program, and two students being terminated due to weak academic performance. On September 4, 2013, IIE/Egypt was awarded funding for 50 additional scholarships. IIE immediately mobilized, recruited, and selected 50 students to join Cohort 3. The 50 students are participating in a Bridge Year Program at the British University in Egypt to gain essential skills, including English language, computer, research, and study skills. The LOTUS Cohort 1 and 2 students represent all 27 governorates of Egypt and two former governorates. The students were selected through a competitive process, with female representation totaling 52 candidates and male representation totaling 47 candidates. The students are enrolled in various academic programs at partner universities, including the British University in Egypt and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport. The LOTUS Cohort 3 students are also participating in a Bridge Year Program at the British University in Egypt. The students were selected through a competitive process, with female representation totaling 28 candidates and male representation totaling 22 candidates. The students will begin academic programs at the British University in Egypt and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport in September 2015. During FY2014, Q3, various activities took place, including IIE-led sessions on sustainable leadership and decision making, listening and feedback, and living a scholarship. Additionally, students from partner universities attended career counseling sessions, big picture sessions on economics, and other enrichment activities. These activities aim to support the students in their academic and professional development.