Historical Perspective
History and Success of Arab Student Aid International
Arab Student Aid International (ASAI) has a rich history as a pioneering educational foundation. Established in 1976 by four visionary brothers—Dr. Joseph Qutub, Professor Musa Qutub, Mr. Dawood Qutub, and Professor Ishaq Al-Qutub—ASAI was created to address the lack of higher education opportunities for Arab students. Recognizing the significant economic instability in Palestine and other Arab countries, they aimed to provide financial assistance to outstanding students in need.
Founding and Vision
The founders conducted a thorough study involving businesses, parents, and the education sector, which revealed a substantial gap between the number of students aspiring to attend higher education and the financial resources available to support them. To bridge this gap, ASAI was established to assist low-income students with the potential to excel in higher education and postgraduate studies.
Early Leadership and Expansion
The first Board of Directors was formed in Kuwait, comprising prominent Kuwaiti and Arab businessmen, including Dr. Dawood Musaed Al Saleh, Prof. Moudi Al Hmoud, Mr. Khalid Abu Saud, Mohammad Hadi Al-Awadi, Abdul Aziz Shakshier, Anwar Al Nouri, Mr. Said Khouri, Omar Al Qouqa, and Mrs. Luluah Al Mullah. Their collective belief in the mission of ASAI was instrumental in its early success. ASAI was registered in the USA as a not-for-profit, non-political, independent, tax-exempt educational foundation.
Growth and Development
Two years after its founding, another group of Trustees was established in Palestine, including H.E. Mesbah Al-Kazimi, Dr. Mahdi Abdul Hadi, Dr. Arafat Al Hidmi, Salim Qutub, and Medhat Kannan. This was followed by a group in Jordan five years later, with members such as Abdul Hamid Shouman, Ziad Ennab, Mr. Ali Hamdi Mango, Mr. Munir Attallah, and H.E. Suliman Arar.
In 1982, ASAI achieved a significant milestone when HRH Prince Turki Ben Abdul Aziz Al Saud became Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Under his leadership, a group of Trustees was established in Saudi Arabia, with members including HE Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Suliman, Harb Al Zuhair, Mr. Omar Al Aqqad, and Mr. Mohammad Qaddoura.
International Reach
ASAI continued to expand its reach globally. A fourth group of Trustees was formed in the United Kingdom ten years later, consisting of Lord Eyan Gilmour, Mr. David Blakely, Dr. Derek Hopwood, Mr. Simon Burham, and Dr. Jamal Nasser. Subsequently, additional Trustee groups were established in Lebanon, led by H.E. Salim Ul Huss, and in the United Arab Emirates, with members such as HH Sheikh Khalifa Al-Naboutha, Mr. Riadh Sadeq, and Mr. Khalaf Al Habtour.
In 2008, Princess Alia Al-Tabaa’ became Chairperson of the Board of Trustees in Jordan, marking another significant step in ASAI’s journey.
Impact and Legacy
Over the past 48 years, ASAI has significantly contributed to the development of human resources and capacity building in various countries. The organization’s growth in different Arab nations has benefited countless students, expanded fundraising efforts, increased scholarships, and heightened the demand for financial support services. Each ASAI branch continues to create new opportunities, fostering educational advancement and supporting respected universities and institutions worldwide.
Commitment to Education
ASAI’s primary objective remains steadfast: to provide outstanding Arab students with the opportunity to pursue higher education globally through interest-free loans to underprivileged students. Through its unwavering commitment, ASAI continues to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape, empowering future generations of Arab leaders and scholars.
