Quarterly Report FY 2011, Quarter 2: LOTUS Scholarship Program

The program was awarded on May 4, 2010, and the first cohort of 44 students was placed at five partner universities in Egypt. The students were distributed among the five universities as follows: Al Ahram Canadian University (9 students), British University in Egypt (11 students), Future University in Egypt (7 students), Modern Sciences and Arts University (9 students), and Pharos University (8 students). The students' fields of specialization include accounting and finance, business administration, dentistry, engineering, informatics and computers, international business, languages and translation, mass communications, pharmacy, and political science. During the reporting period of January 1 to March 31, 2011, the program faced several challenges due to the January 25 Revolution in Egypt. The universities and IIE were closed during this period, and IIE had to keep in close contact with the LOTUS students and university coordinators to monitor and assess the situation. The universities remained closed for several weeks after the revolution and continued to face hindrances to returning to normalcy due to on-campus demonstrations and security concerns. Despite these challenges, IIE was able to hold Leadership in Action sessions, including Academic Integrity, Writing, and Research, and Presentation Skills. The program also made progress in its tasks, including finalizing service agreements with partner NGOs and universities, staffing IIE and partner positions, and developing a branding strategy and marketing plan. The program's recruitment and selection process was also underway, with 346 applications received and 254 eligible applications reviewed. The program conducted home visits and interviews with shortlisted candidates and selected 47 candidates for placement in partner universities. The program also provided academic and personal support to the LOTUS students, including orientation sessions, team-building workshops, and supplemental English training. The program's Leadership in Action Program was also in progress, with sessions delivered by IIE staff and facilitators. The program's components, including tolerance and diversity, innovation, sustainable development, and know your country, were also being developed. The program's website was also launched, and a program wiki and other communications systems were set up. The program's evaluation criteria and impact indicators were also developed and submitted for USAID approval. The program identified a control group of students and planned for annual assessments. The program also submitted quarterly and annual reports on schedule and produced LOTUS Scholarship Program highlights and PR documents. Overall, the LOTUS Scholarship Program made significant progress during the reporting period, despite the challenges posed by the January 25 Revolution in Egypt. The program's efforts to provide academic and personal support to the LOTUS students and to develop the Leadership in Action Program were notable, and the program's website and communications systems were also established.