27 October 2009
Beirut
The Japanese Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Koichi Kawakami, yesterday held a lunch for seven Palestinian students who graduated in Sciences and Business Administration thanks to scholarships from the government of Japan. The students were accompanied by UNRWA's Director of Operations, Mr. Salvatore Lombardo, and the Lebanon Education Programme Chief, Ms. Afaf Younis.
In June 2004, the Japanese government donated US$ 100,000 to cover scholarships for the seven students. Thanks to this donation, the students were able to pursue higher education at universities in Lebanon, helping them increase their chances of emplyoment in the future. The scholarships covered the full university tuition fees and other education-related expenses, with three more students set to be sponsored for the coming academic year.
Mr Lombardo thanked the Japanese Government for its continuous investment in the education of Palestine refugees, particularly female students.
Background information:
Since 1999, UNRWA, with the general support of donors, has been able to help hundreds of Palestinian students pursue their university education in Lebanon, an opportunity rarely afforded to young refugees.
The Government of Japan has donated generously approximately US$ 580,000 to the Agency for scholarships since 2004. It has also made generous contributions to the Agency’s appeals, including US$ 6,531,257 to the Nahr el-Bared camp emergency (Flash Appeal and Emergency Appeal), and US$ 450,000 towards the Camp Improvement Initiative in 2007.
For more information please contact UNRWA Public Information Office in Lebanon:
Tel/fax 01-840468 ext 314.
E-mail: h.elturk@unrwa.org
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