U.S. Ambassador Hosts "Maharat Future Leaders"
October 5, 2009
Amman – U.S. Ambassador to Jordan, R. Stephen Beecroft, hosted a reception for Maharat Future Leaders who received scholarships earlier this year from the USAID-Funded Maharat Employment and Training Program. The reception was also attended by USAID Mission Director Jay L. Knott and President and CEO of the Business Development Center Nayef Stetieh.
The scholarships consisted of a four-month intensive training program at Thunderbird School of Global Management, a top ranked school in international business. The program provided participants with practical experiences and opportunities to meet with international students and professionals from across the globe.
In his remarks, Ambassador Beecroft referred to President Obama’s speech in Cairo and his vision for investing in youth and the enormous impact of exchange programs on societies. Ambassador Beecroft added, “This program is one way we, here in Jordan, are translating the President’s vision into reality. Investing in Jordan’s youth means investing in the future of Jordan.”
A participant in the Maharat Future Leaders program, Lara Abu Salim, said that the program provided her a unique experience. As a young woman from Salt, she had always dreamed of studying in the U.S. and meeting with international professionals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Another participant in the program, Ghaith Rabadi, from Ajloun, said that the experience and the capacity building programs he received through Maharat Future Leaders program enhanced his qualifications: “Because of the program I received a promising job opportunity in a career field I am passionate about,”
The 21 participants in the program, two of whom are currently at Thunderbird, were selected after several interviews and extensive testing from a pool of more than 2000 Maharat graduates. The group comprised students from all governorates.
Mr. Stetieh complimented the youth's ambitions and said in remarks at the reception: "The Maharat Future Leaders have committed to the Maharat Program for a period of one year after their return to undertake community service and to share the activities, the knowledge, and the skills gained at Thunderbird with the largest possible number of Jordanian youth.”
Maharat is one of many USAID-funded Business and Export Development Project initiatives targeting youth.