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American Schools and Hospitals Abroad
>> Regional Overview >> Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance Overview THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: The challenge of the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program is to increase the ability of overseas schools, libraries and hospital centers to demonstrate U.S. advancements in educational and medical technology. These institutions contribute to the strengthening of bridges and mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries. They also serve as overseas centers fostering a favorable image of the United States. They create a foundation for nurturing and developing leadership in a wide variety of disciplines while providing understanding of U.S. economic, scientific, political and social institutions, philosophy and practices.
At the opening ceremony of the American University in Cairo's new Falaki Academic Center that was funded by ASHA, the Governor of Cairo said "We cherish having AUC in Cairo because of its contribution to human development in Egypt." He described the new Center as "a masterpiece in educational building architecture." THE USAID PROGRAM:
FY 2002 Estimate: $18,000,000 FY 2003 Request: $17,000,000 For the FY 2002 competitive grant award cycle, 47 U.S. organizations sponsoring 52 overseas institutions in 26 countries applied for grant assistance. Six of these overseas institutions are in Africa, 19 in Asia, three in Eastern Europe, five in Europe, seven in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 12 are in the Near East. Of the 52 overseas institutions, seven are high schools, 18 are hospital and medical centers, 26 are universities, and one is a library.
The principal objective of these grants is to demonstrate U.S. advances in educational and medical technology and practices, in areas of research, training, and patient care. ASHA grants strengthen the capacity of the assisted institutions to:
- build a technology base for integrated research and care in critical areas of medical science;
- train independent thinkers with problem-solving abilities;
- provide the benefit of a U.S. style education within developing countries;
- create a more efficient basis for communication and transfer of information; and
- increase understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries.
Activities of these institutions project a positive image of the United States, while at the same time contributing to the goal of reducing poverty and combating terrorism by expanding access to American ideas, values and practices. The activities of these grant applicants also directly contribute to USAID's objectives in the education, health care, democracy and conflict management sectors.
Since its creation in 1957, ASHA has assisted 194 institutions in 61 countries worldwide. Annually, approximately 100,000 students are enrolled and exposed to American-based education and more than 3 million patients receive American-style medical care. OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: ASHA grants help a wide variety of institutions, including secondary schools which provide academic and vocational training; undergraduate institutions with programs in the liberal arts, business, medicine, nursing, agriculture and the sciences; graduate institutions which provide specialized training in health, law, the physical sciences and international studies; and hospital centers which offer modern health care, medical education and research. Many of the ASHA assisted institutions are providing virtually the only modern health services and medical training programs in the areas they serve. Educational institutions are providing secondary vocational training and programs in higher education to meet pressing needs for skilled manpower. ASHA funds are used for the procurement of scientific and educational commodities and for construction and renovation.
OTHER DONORS: ASHA grants supplement predominantly private and other contributions, which these institutions receive from both local and United States sources.
Program Data Sheets
- 964-001 U.S. educational and medical technologies and practices demonstrated in selected countries
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Last Updated on: May 30, 2002 |
Overview
