Bulletin: An Egyptian and an American University Cooperate, a Focus on the Fulbright in Lebanon
Student Stress and Mental Well-Being
Dear Arab university student,
I do not question your academic ability to learn, but I wonder if you enjoy studying and can maintain your mental well-being under the many strains on university students today.
I know you are pressed to attend lectures and finish research papers on time, and might have postponed your deadlines more than once. I understand your frustration over the time you spend in traffic trying to get to your university, your mood swings, your dissatisfaction and perhaps a sense of futility in what you’re doing.
It would be a grave mistake to underestimate how these pressures affect your mental health, academic performance, and life path. I advise you not to forget to make time for entertainment, by attending an art event you love, watching a new movie in the cinema, or reading a book by your favourite author.
Speak up, talk about what’s going on inside, and consult a mental health specialist if necessary. Be assured that your parents are not against you; they are probably just as anxious, stressed, and sometimes even as depressed as you. Just try to find some common ground and a way to understand each other.
Try to take advantage of this bulletin from Al-Fanar Media, which besides bringing you news of higher education also highlights some useful resources for self-development and cultural outlets that can help ease your anxiety.
Mohammed El-Hawary
Al-Fanar Media editor-in-chief
Egyptian and U.S. Universities Build Stronger Ties
We launch our newsletter from Egypt, where Ayman Ashour, Egypt’s minister of higher education, received a delegation from the University of Louisville, in the United States, to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation between the American institution and El Alamein International University.
In a Facebook statement published on Monday, the ministry said that the two parties discussed what they have achieved so far. The universities launched a joint degree programme last fall that allows Egyptian students to complete an undergraduate degree in bioengineering or in computer science engineering at the University of Louisville after beginning their studies at El Alamein International University.
The officials also planned to discuss other ways to build on the universities’ academic ties, including offering internship opportunities at both universities during the summer and establishing a research lab at El Alamein International University to study the use of artificial intelligence in bioengineering.
Sharjah Art Foundation and American University of Sharjah Team Up
Students from the American University of Sharjah’s College of Architecture, Art and Design have had an immersive semester experiencing Sharjah Biennial 15 through a new course delivered in collaboration with the Sharjah Art Foundation.
According to a statement received by Al-Fanar Media, this collaboration culminated in a series of student presentations of their own curatorial ideas inspired by the contemporary art exhibition. It also enabled the students to gain critical skills that are needed to support the region’s fast-growing culture and arts sector through dialogue with leading art world professionals, including curators, artists, museum and gallery specialists, and architects.
Smart and Sustainable Building Event at Birzeit University
In Palestine, Birzeit University organised an event for architecture and planning students to introduce them to practical applications of smart building design and sustainable construction.
According to a statement published on Monday, the students visited the university’s Riad Tawfik Al-Sadik Faculty of Law and Public Administration to learn about how its Building Management System (BMS) controls lighting and heating systems and monitors conditions to adapt the building’s performance in terms of energy consumption, temperature, and air quality. The students were also introduced to the building’s rain-harvesting system, dual system of water distribution, and photovoltaic system.
King Faisal University Ranks High in THE Impact Rankings
From Saudi Arabia, we learn that King Faisal University took first place locally among 25 Saudi universities ranked in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which measure universities’ contributions toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Among all 1,591 universities assessed globally, King Faisal University was in the group ranked 101–200.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday that Khaled Al-Barrak, the supervisor of the university’s strategic planning and corporate identity department, said that the university was distinguished by its participation in all 17 sustainable development goals for the second year in a row. It ranked ninth on the clean energy goal, 19th on the goal of eradicating poverty, 30th on the goal of eliminating hunger, 37th on the goal of conserving oceans and marine life, 58th on clean water and sanitation, the 95th on protecting life on land.
Two other Saudi institutions were also in the group ranked 101-200 globally: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University.
The Lebanese University Puts a Focus on the Fulbright Scholarship
In Lebanon, the Lebanese University wants to make sure its students know about an important resource for graduate study in the United States: the Fulbright Foreign Student Program for Lebanon.
The university’s Center for Career, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship recently organised an online workshop on the U.S. programme. According to a university statement, the workshop was led by Francesco Bacchus and Lyn Ayoub, graduates of the Lebanese University who were accepted into the programme. The workshop provided insights into the scholarship application process and highlighted key criteria the selection committee looks for, such as academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to community service.
Jobs for Master’s and Doctoral holders in Algeria
If you hold a doctorate or master’s degree in Algeria, you have an opportunity to seek employment at a university, the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced on Sunday. The ministry called on these graduates to submit online applications to be employed as assistant professors (category B) at universities, from June 5 until June 25. For more details, click here.
Scholarships
Are you looking for a scholarship? You can follow our website to keep you updated with the latest scholarships available in international universities. Check the Scholarships section, here, and do not miss our constantly updated feedback on free learning opportunities in the News and Reports section, here.
The Power of Culture, History and Museums in the Digital Age
In this article, we meet Lonnie J. Bunch III, an American historian and secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. He is the first African-American and the first historian to hold this position. Bunch, who is also the founder and director of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, recently spoke at the American University in Cairo about the power of culture and history, and the role of museums in using that power for the greater good. Read more about that conversation here.
- Also see: Spotlight: Al-Fanar Media’s Distinguished New Service for Arab Higher-Education Institutions
Indispensable TED and TEDx Talks
Besides academic achievement, many undergraduate students are preoccupied with their future and developing a life vision. For this it is often useful to learn about others’ experiences and successes, so Al-Fanar Media has researched a list of free video resources and content platforms, including a sampling of talks from the popular TED and TEDx conferences. To see more, click here.
Learn English Online
In a rapidly changing labour market, continuing to acquire skills after university is no longer a luxury. Learning English online is one way to enhance your skills and professional and career opportunities.
Here, we highlight five free resources to get you started, but many more options are available. All you need is a computer or a mobile phone, and an Internet connection, to take off your promising learning journey.
Scholarships – Facebook – Newsletter
