UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - VI

The program aims to provide scholarships to students from underserved and disadvantaged groups in Lebanon, enabling them to access tertiary education. The program's primary objective is to increase access to higher education for these groups, with a focus on promoting social mobility and economic development. The program's key interventions include providing scholarships to students, training and capacity building for LAU staff, and outreach and recruitment activities to promote the program among potential beneficiaries. The program also focuses on career counseling, orientation, and academic advising to support scholars in their academic and professional development. As of December 2014, the program had achieved several milestones. The number of individuals from underserved and disadvantaged groups accessing tertiary education programs through the program had reached 42, exceeding the target of 30. The program had also trained 42 scholars, with 30 of them coming from outside Beirut and Mount Lebanon, meeting the USAID guidance of at least 70% from outside these areas. The program's impact on students' academic performance was also notable. The percentage of students with a sustained academic average throughout the project lifetime, as reflected in their cumulative GPA, had reached 70%, exceeding the target of 90%. The number of admitted students with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above after the first year had also increased, with 53 scholars meeting this criterion, exceeding the target of 42. The program's outreach and recruitment activities had also been successful, with the USP VI brochure distributed to 9,384 public high schools throughout Lebanon, exceeding the target of 7,061. The program had also advertised in leading newspapers and social media, with 12 insertions in each of the five newspapers, exceeding the target of 6 insertions. In terms of career counseling, the program had organized a special career counseling workshop for the top interviewed candidates, with 102 scholars attending the workshop. The program had also invited scholars to a special multi-day orientation program, with 56 scholars attending the program. The program's housing and facilities component had also been implemented, with 41 scholars admitted to student housing, exceeding the target of 29. The program had also admitted 22 scholars to intensive English programs, with 14 of them admitted to one semester programs and 5 admitted to two semester programs. Overall, the USP VI program had made significant progress in its first year, achieving several of its key objectives and exceeding some of its targets. The program's impact on students' academic performance, career development, and social mobility was notable, and it was expected to continue making a positive impact in the coming years.