The following press release was issued on July 31st, 2003 - by the Binational Fulbright Commission in Jordan on the occasion of its 10th anniversary

Binational Fulbright Commission in Jordan Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

Jordan and U.S. Renew the Commission’s Mandate
AMMAN --The Jordanian-American Commission for Educational Exchange, commonly known as the Binational Fulbright Commission in Jordan, celebrated today its ten-year anniversary.  In addition, a signing ceremony was held with the Commission’s two Honorary Co-Chairs, Their Excellencies, Dr. Marwan Muasher and Ambassador Edward Gnehm extending the Commission’s mandate in Jordan for another ten years.

The Binational Fulbright Commission is an independent, non-profit, binational organization responsible for the administration of prestigious grants awarded, on a competitive basis, to Jordanian and American students, teachers and scholars to study, teach, lecture and conduct research in the U.S. and in Jordan.  A binational board of four Jordanians and four Americans leads this Commission.  Study and research awards are offered, Kingdom-wide, on a rigorously competitive basis with scholarships awarded to individuals selected on the basis of academic excellence and professional qualifications.

The Fulbright Program has produced several generations of leaders with broadened vision in the sciences, the arts, education, literature, business, the media, and government.  In a human sense, it has touched the lives of nearly a quarter million Fulbrighters and, through them, and the students and colleagues they touched, brought greater understanding between the U.S. and other nations around the world.

The Commission is an outgrowth of the Fulbright program, a prestigious academic exchange program first established in 1949 and the creation of the late U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, who sought a mechanism to promote mutual understanding, scholarship and friendship between the United States and nations throughout the world.  He believed that if large numbers of people lived and studied in other countries, "they might develop a capacity for empathy, a distaste for killing other men, and an inclination for peace."

True binationalism was a primary objective of Senator Fulbright.  "I had not wanted this to be an American program," he wrote.  "In each country, binational commissions were to develop the kind of program that made sense to them – what kinds of students or teachers and professors, should be selected, what kind of research work."

Since 1994, the Commission in Jordan has awarded 345 grants to Jordanian and American scholars, students and teachers.  These grantees have focused their academic work in a wide array of subject matter, increasing understanding adding to the cultural and social ties of the two countries.  Jordanian alumni of the Fulbright program include current and former government ministers, members of the Royal family, university presidents and deans, eminent professors, performing artists, writers and business leaders. 

The United States and Jordan have long recognized the importance of enhancing human resources and academic institutions through international exchange, notes Alain McNamara, Executive Director, Binational Fulbright Commission.  "Our Commission serves to realize this vision and embodies the kind of positive cooperation so important to fostering understanding and peace in the world," he said.  "Fulbright scholars, students and teachers represent the very best of their societies and serve a critical role in strengthening the bonds between the Jordanian and American people."