The University of Southern Maine and the Daughters for Life Foundation, a Canadian charity dedicated to higher education for young women in the Middle East, have partnered to offer three full scholarships starting next school year.
Applications will open in November.
“The Foundation’s work is vital for women from the Middle East, “ said USM President Jacqueline Edmondson. “Empowerment through education serves not only the women themselves but also their families, communities, and the world at large. It is our privilege to support students who might otherwise find higher education out of reach and to contribute to a broader goal of building relationships through education. USM is thrilled to partner Daughters For Life to provide women from the Middle East with the opportunity to obtain a full four-year degree.”
Daughters for Life was founded by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish after the tragic loss of his three daughters, Bessan, Mayar, and Aya, when an Israeli tank shelled his home in the Gaza Strip in 2009. The foundation is dedicated to empowering Middle Eastern girls and young women through education, with the belief that they will become advocates for equality, leaders in development, and agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.
The scholarship is offered to young women from the Middle East, who are residents and citizens of the region, and who, despite facing significant socio-economic challenges, aspire to pursue a quality education in Europe or North America. Recipients are carefully selected for their contributions to their communities and their strong potential to lead, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background.
The foundation’s connection with USM began during an on-campus visit by Abuelaish in February. He met with USM’s president and their discussions laid the groundwork for the new partnership.
Up to three fully-funded undergraduate scholarships will be awarded each year. Each scholarship covers full-time tuition, on-campus shared housing, a regular on-campus meal plan, and health insurance for the total length of the program. Daughters for Life will also offer annual airfare. Applications will open in November 2024 and will be due in January 2025.
Daughters for Life recipients come from Palestine, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. The foundation has also expanded to include scholars from Morocco.
“Our partnership with the University of Southern Maine embodies the spirit of solidarity and mutual support that is crucial for human progress in today’s world, “ Abuelaish said. “By joining forces, we reinforce our dedication to humanity while uplifting Middle Eastern women and providing them with the opportunities they deserve to shine and lead.”