The AAICU was founded in 1971, and is meant to help American schools abroad share resources and collaborate on issues of mutual concern. LAU took part in its first meeting in 1972, when the university was known as the Beirut College for Women. AUB and Haigazian, which was founded by Armenian missionaries in 1955, also took part in the first meeting, along with American schools operating in Europe and Egypt.

 

The AAICU grew in the years to come, holding annual meetings, welcoming more institutions and building a relationship with the U.S. Department of Education. Today, there are 25 member schools, hailing from Africa in addition to Europe and the Middle East and North Africa region. As part of its work, the AAICU sponsored a tour in 2009, where LAU President Joseph Jabbra went to Washington with the presidents of the American University in Cairo, American University in Kosovo and American University in Paris to win more support and recognition for American education abroad from policymakers there.

 

The organization’s annual meetings have been held throughout the world; AUC hosted the organization’s meeting in 2008. The AAICU meeting this year will take place from April 29 to May 1, 2011, giving members an opportunity to visit both campuses and see how LAU has grown since joining the group nearly four decades ago.

 

You can visit LAU’s website for more information about the upcoming meeting.