Mr. Fouad Makhzoumi Chairman of Future Pipe Industries (FPI) and Founder of the Makhzoumi Foundation participated in a panel discussion at the "Philanthropy in Higher Education and Responsible Social Giving" Forum in Dubai on May 26, 2013.
This first-of-its-kind conference led to an exchange of ideas on socially responsible philanthropy, and explored philanthropy-led initiatives in higher education in the Arab World. The event was organised by the University Leadership Council (ULC) which was launched in January 2012 to provide a platform for collaboration and regionally relevant research and innovation.
Mr. Makhzoumi's panel entitled "Foundations in the Arab World: How Substantial a Role?" focused on the role of private philanthropic foundations and government organizations in supporting national development efforts. Other panellists were Mr. Abdullah Saeed Al Darmaki, CEO of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, Mr. Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares, Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation and Ms. Clare Woodcraft CEO of Emirates Foundation. The panel was moderated by Mr. Huw Gilbert, VP Corporate Affairs of PepsiCo Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Commenting on the role of philanthropy in education, Mr. Makhzoumi said: "It has become generally accepted across the West and increasingly in the Middle East that private businesses cannot be blind to the world around them and must have regard to the needs of the wider community in which they operate, and if a society is to progress and address the more fundamental needs of its population self-sufficiently, a proportion of its workforce must be educated to the highest level."
The Makhzoumi Foundation is involved in a diverse range of activities and initiatives, which provide assistance and relief to those in need and champion better living conditions for all by empowering them with skills and knowledge. As part of its community outreach programs, the Foundation operates vocational training centres in Beirut, Tripoli and Baalbek, which provide Lebanese citizens with opportunities for career advancement including language training, IT support, beauty courses, hardware skills and other relevant vocational training, over and above health care, micro credit, and other services.
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