US Ambassador Makes First Visit to AUAF
(September 22, 2010) -- U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, along with his wife Ching Eikenberry, made their first visit to AUAF on Wednesday. Accompanied by USAID and U.S. State Departiment staff, they toured the university campus, met with two groups of students, and enjoyed lunch in the AUAF cafeteria.
During their visit they explored the Bernice Nachman Marlowe Library, dropped in for an inmpromptu game of table tennis in the Michelle Bayat Gymnasium, and marveled at the university's state-of-the-art videconferencing facility. "I may have to ask if I can borrow this; it is better than what we have at the embassy," the ambassador remarked.
In a wide-ranging discussion sessions, the ambassador and a group of student leaders discussed a variety of topics including the development of the university's new campus; the need for residence halls, especially for women; possible new programs at AUAF including engineering; and the progress the university has made in the past four years.
Mrs. Eikenberry, a former journalist with an interest in women's education issues, met with a group of female students who talked about the challenges facing women seeking higher education, particularly the expense of high-quality education and the need for scholarships for women.
Both the ambassador and Mrs. Eikenberry commented favorably on the energy and enthusiasm shown by AUAF students and expressed the desire to support the university in future projects.
