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25 June 2003

Qatar Commended For Establishing Iraqi Higher Education Fund

(State Department says it will initially target scientific,
technological fields) (380)
The United States praised the government of Qatar for establishing a
fund for higher education in Iraq, and contributing $15 million as an
initial grant.
According to a June 25 statement by State Department Spokesperson
Richard Boucher, the fund will provide immediate and long-term
assistance towards the reconstruction of Iraqi higher education,
initially focusing upon university instruction in information
technology, science, medicine, and engineering.
The fund will be jointly overseen by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Qatar
Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development,
according to the statement.
Boucher also praised Sheikha Mozza Al-Misnad, UNESCO's Special Envoy
for Education, for being "an important voice in helping to chart a
brighter future for the people of Iraq through education of its
youth."
Following is the text of Boucher's statement on the Iraqi higher
education fund:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release 
 June 25, 2003 
2003/688
Statement By Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Qatar: Assistance for Iraqi Reconstruction
The United States commends the Government of Qatar and Her Highness
Sheikha Mozza Al- Misnad for their initiative in establishing an
International Fund for Iraqi Higher Education as announced at the June
23 United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) meeting in Paris. Overseen jointly by UNESCO and the Qatar
Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development, this
fund will provide immediate and long-term assistance for the
reconstruction of Higher Education in Iraq, with an initial focus on
enhancing university instruction in Information Technology, Science,
Medicine, and Engineering. We also welcome the commitment made by the
Qatari government to make an initial grant of $15 million to
facilitate the fund's important work. We encourage other governments
and institutions interested in assisting the Iraqi people to consider
contributing to this Fund.
As Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and
Community Development and UNESCO Special Envoy for Education, Sheikha
Mozza Al-Misnad has been an important voice in helping to chart a
brighter future for the people of Iraq through education of its youth.
We appreciate her commitment and that of the Qatari government to this
important goal.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)