ByGeorge!

January 2009

Development Report:
Kuwait Donates $1 Million to GW Institute for Middle East Studies

Pictured from left to right are Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the United States H.E. Shaikh Salem Abdullah Al-Sabah; Edward W. Gnehm, Kuwait Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs; Donald R. Lehman, executive vice president for academic affairs; Michael E. Brown, dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs; and President Steven Knapp.

By Julia Parmley

The state of Kuwait, through the generosity of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, has presented GW with a $1.05 million gift in support of the Institute for Middle East Studies at the Elliott School of International Affairs. Established in 2007, the institute supports the work of the University’s Middle East Studies Program. The program offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Middle East studies and research fellowships to GW faculty and students. It also hosts the University’s Middle East Policy Forum.

“Mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and of the Middle East region is vital to ensuring global peace and prosperity,” says President Steven Knapp. “His Highness’s generosity will help us continue to build one of this nation’s premier centers for the study of this important region.”

Edward W. Gnehm, B.A. ’66, M.A. ’68, former U.S. ambassador to Kuwait, says, “The George Washington University’s Institute for Middle East Studies focuses on the region’s history, cultures, and conflicts. This contribution greatly enhances the strong relationship that already exists between the University and the state of Kuwait and provides important support for the Elliott School’s commitment to preparing our graduates for careers in the international arena.” Amb. Gnehm also serves as Kuwait Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs.

This latest gift follows other steps to strengthen ties between GW and Kuwait. In 2006, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences gave the University $3.4 million to fund the Kuwait professorship held by Amb. Gnehm. The University conferred an honorary law degree on His Highness the Amir of Kuwait in 2005. In 2008, Dr. Knapp conferred the President’s Medal on His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, prime minister of the state of Kuwait, in recognition of his professional achievements, his commitment to the Kuwaiti people, and his support of the University’s mission.

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu