WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Syrian
businessman Mr. Moataz Al-Khayyat
recently announced that he is providing substantial financial
support to the Emergency Student Fund of the Institute of International Education to award
scholarships to 43 Syrian students enrolled in U.S. colleges and
universities.
All of the students face an urgent financial need due to the
ongoing conflict in Syria.
Mr. Al-Khayyat is committed to helping Syrian students remain
enrolled in their U.S. degree programs so that they will be better
prepared to assist their country in the future.
The IIE received 65 nominations for the scholarships from 34
colleges and universities in 19 states. The nominees were
facing dire financial difficulties because their families at home
could no longer fund their studies. Priority was given to
nominated students with the most urgent financial need who are
currently enrolled in full-time degree programs and are scheduled
to graduate in spring 2015. The 43 scholarship recipients
were from all levels of higher education, ranging from
undergraduate to the doctoral level and represented many different
fields of study.
The D.C.-based Al Waref Institute also contributed financial
support to the scholarships. Technical support was provided
by the U.S. Department of State.
"Students have endured hardship situations due to the current
crisis in Syria. Families have
been forced to leave their country and struggle to start new
lives while also tasked with keeping these students in the
universities," said Mr. Al-Khayyat. "Supporting their education
during this time and providing funding to continue their studies in
the United States is of great
importance to me and to the Syrian community living in the
U.S. Education is vital to the Syrian societies and these
students are the pillars of the Syrian future."
Mr. Al-Khayyat is the owner of 17 companies, which include
general contracting, commercial and residential developments,
building materials, various trading companies, hospitals and
restaurants with operations in Syria, Morocco and Qatar. After the start of
the Syrian revolution in 2011, Mr. Al-Khayyat joined the Syrian
opposition and because of that decision, the regime confiscated all
his assets in Syria as well as his
family's assets. Mr. Al-Khayyat now operates his enterprises
from Qatar. He is committed to fostering and supporting
humanitarian efforts in the Near East.
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SOURCE Moataz Al-Khayyat