2008 International Awards Gala

The Institute of International Education held its 2008 International Awards Gala on September 23 at The Plaza in New York City. The Gala was an evening of inspiration and celebration as attendees paid tribute to two outstanding international educational philanthropists, whose pioneering leadership has helped advance IIE’s mission of “Opening Minds to the World.”

That night, IIE was privileged to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Ghida Talal of Jordan for her humanitarian efforts and dedicated philanthropy. A board member of IIE’s Scholar Rescue Fund, Princess Ghida and her husband, His Royal Highness Prince Talal, have played a major role in launching the Iraq Scholar Rescue Project. The program works to find persecuted Iraqi scholars safe haven at host universities within the Middle East until they can safely return to rebuild their country’s higher education institutions.

IIE was also pleased to honor Alcoa Inc. and its President and Chief Executive Officer, Klaus Kleinfeld, in recognition of the company’s outstanding commitment to global education and leadership in addressing issues of environmental conservation and sustainability.  IIE serves as the administrative partner for Alcoa Foundation’s Conservation and Sustainability Fellowship Program, which brings together a global network of future leaders and premier institutions to create and leverage research and share innovative and interdisciplinary work in conservation and sustainability.