FAAY Gala Dinner [Archives:1998/30/Local News]

The Fulbright Alumni Asasociation of Yemen (FAAY) holds on Wednesday, July 29th, a gala dinner in honor of Ms. Marjorie Ransom, founder of the Fulbright program in Yemen some a quarter of a century ago. She was in charge of USIS at the time.
The occasion will also go to mark the official launch of the FAAY, as well as a moment to recognize financial contributors and other supporters.
The FAAY is a non-government organization which intends to expand the scholarship opportunities for Yemenis to study in the USA. “As opportunities through the US-government financed official program dwindle, former Fulbright Yemenis have come together to establish the FAAY,” said Prof. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf, a former Fulbrighter and Secretary-General of the FAAY. He added, “We look at this as a legacy. We want our kids to be availed the same excellent educational opportunities through the FAAY.”
The official US Fulbright program sends about three Yemen students to the US for post-university studies. The FAAY will probably add another three every year.
The dinner reception will also serve as an occasion to honor Mr. Adam Ereli, USIS Director. Adam worked very hard for closer Yemeni-American understanding and cooperation in media, cultural and educational fields. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the FAAY.
There are in Yemen today about 120 former Fulbrighters. The total number of Yemenis who studied in the USA (whether on their own, or through US-assisted programs) is estimated at 4,000 graduates.
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