WSU News Archive

By Darin Watkins, WSU News

PULLMAN, Wash. – News of the death of dictator Moammar Gadhafi is something many Libyan students attending Washington State University have longed to hear. Many have shared how the ruler’s cruelty permeated every aspect of their lives.

 

"It means the war in Libya is now all over and the lives of thousands of people are being saved because Gadhafi forces are finally surrendering,” said WSU Libyan student Abdelrhman Mohamed. "It also means that the country is now again on track in its prosperity.”

 

WSU has one of the largest Libyan student populations in North America, with some 50 students attending the university and the Intensive American Language Center.

 

"We are really at a critical, critical moment,” Mohamed said. "These few months are going to shape the new future for Libya for sure. The people can support … democracy or they can create a new dictator, so it’s a critical moment right now.”

 

After fighting broke out in Libya in February, student funding was in jeopardy. But in June, Libya’s transition government promised that the Libyan Ministry of Education and Scientific Research would continue to fund the students’ education through May 2012.

 

In the meantime, WSU established a loan program and held meetings and workshops to address challenges such as housing and maintaining legal immigration status. University counselors have helped students and their families cope with the rapid changes.
 
In addition, a number of WSU and Pullman community-based efforts supported Libyan students and their families.

 

Scholarship funds are channeled through the Libyan-North American Scholarship Program. They provide a stipend for students’ and dependents monthly living allowances, health insurance, tuition and fees. 

 

"Over 50,000 people have died for this revolution to support their liberty, and I just don’t want to see their blood wasted,” said Mohamed.

These quotes from Abdelrhman Mohamed are available for download in multiple formats. Go to http://134.121.160.190/Dropboxes/WSUNews/ and look for LibyaStudentSOT. Right click on file to download. Do not view in browser. Please courtesy Washington State University.

 

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Media contacts:
Darin Watkins, WSU News, 509-335-4456, darin.watkins@wsu.edu
Matt Haugen, WSU News Video, 509-335-0487, mhaugen@wsu.edu

 

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