UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - II

The program aims to provide scholarships to Lebanese students to pursue higher education at LAU. The program's target is to select and enroll 53 scholars in the first year, with a focus on promoting USP II through various channels. The program's impact summary as of September 2012 indicates that the number of host-country individuals receiving USG-funded scholarships to attend higher education institutions is 53, meeting the target. The number of host-country individuals trained as a result of USG investments involving higher education institutions is also 53, meeting the target. The promotional materials developed, including brochures, posters, and advertisements in leading Arabic newspapers, have been distributed to public high schools throughout Lebanon, with a total of 7,000 brochures distributed. The program's progress summary highlights the key achievements during the reporting period. The advertisement and production design, including the design and print of a new and comprehensive Admission and Financial Aid application, was completed. The MEHE was informed, and USP II was advertised in three Arabic newspapers. The distribution of Admission and Financial Aid applications to public schools and the presentation of USP II to public high school principals were also completed. The recruitment process involved selecting 53 scholars from all applicants, creating a waiting list of second-tier applicants, and sending provisional and final acceptances to the selected applicants. The accepted scholars signed anti-terrorist certifications, and written confirmation of their scholarship and its details was provided to them. The program also organized a special multi-day orientation program for the scholars, which was attended by all selected scholars. The program's implementation details include the provision of laptops, email accounts, and bank accounts to the scholars. The scholars were also assigned LAU student mentors and advised for registration purposes. The program's geographic focus is on Lebanon, with a focus on promoting USP II through various channels, including public high schools, LAU alumni and friends, and Lebanese Radio and TV stations. The program's timeframes and recommendations are not explicitly stated in the provided document. However, the program's progress summary indicates that the key achievements were made during the reporting period, and the program is on track to meet its targets.