The Crown Council of Ethiopia
US Legation: PO Box 20863,
Alexandria, Virginia 22320, United States of America.
Facsimile (703) 684-7476.
E-mail: CrownCncl@aol.com.
Website: http://www.EthiopianCrown.org

Washington DC, August 11, 1999: — The Ethiopian Crown Council today announced that 16 Ethiopian students have been chosen to receive Pacem in Terris scholarships. These full, four-year scholarships to International University of America, in Texas, in the United States, were awarded to Ethiopians in Ethiopia and the diaspora.

These scholarships, administered in the name of the charity organization, the Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopia’s Children, cover four years of college tuition, room, and board for all 16 recipients.

The recipients will spend their first six months at Pennsylvania’s La Roche College receiving intensive English language instruction, and will complete the remainder of their four-year program at International University of America (formerly Ambassador International University) in Texas.

The Haile Selassie Fund was able to award scholarships in the fields of computer science, business, engineering, communications, and water resources management. These scholarships, awarded in early July, have a collective value of some US$1.2-million.

The scholarship recipients are a diverse group of Ethiopians with a wide range of personal backgrounds and interests. Among the finalists are students from Addis Ababa, Harar, Mekelle, Awasa, Dire Dawa, and even several from various Ethiopian communities in the diaspora of the United States and Europe.

The Crown Council released the following statement to the press after the announcement of the scholarship winners: “Our heartfelt congratulations go out to the recent recipients of the Pacem in Terris scholarships. We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Monsignor William Kerr, President of International University of America. His enthusiasm and energy in the establishment of this scholarship has provided an unprecedented opportunity for these young Ethiopians.

The International University’s work to promote peace and well-being among the peoples of the earth deserves all of our appreciation and support. The young men and women who will begin their studies at the International University are the pride of Ethiopia, and we look forward to watching their careers in the years to come.”

When the Crown Council announced the Pacem in Terris scholarships, response from the Ethiopian community was highly enthusiastic. Over the course of several months, the scholarship committee received nearly 100 applications from Ethiopians at home and around the world.

In its statement, the Crown Council said: “Each of these applications stood as a tribute to the intellectual drive and ambition alive in Ethiopia today. All of these students are a pride to their people, and a source of inspiration to us all.”

The following is a complete list of scholarship recipients:

Abraham Kifle Melaku has just completed high school in Addis Ababa with an excellent academic record, and will be studying computer science.

Amin Mohammed Yassin has graduated from Ethiopia’s College of Urban Planning with a diploma in that field, and will use his scholarship to study engineering.

Ana Fuad Ousie will come to America from Dire Dawa, and will be studying business. He has received excellent marks in English, geography, history, and biology.

Endrias and Endrias Hailu Zewde, two young artists, will be studying computer science. These brothers have been active in Ethiopian and international painting competitions, and have displayed their art in Addis Ababa on several occasions.

Henok Alemayehu Daba is one of the scholarship recipients currently living in the diaspora. An honor roll student in Silver Spring, Maryland, he is the only Ethiopian scholarship winner to be pursuing a joint program of engineering and computer science.

Henok Mulualem Gebrehiwot currently lives in Shire-Endeselassie, in the Tigray region, where he has just received the Ethiopian School Leaving Certificate with high marks in English and chemistry. He will be studying engineering.

Hiywote Tessema Demisse has just graduated from Nativity Catholic Cathedral School in Addis Ababa, where she finished with excellent grades and a strong performance on the SAT. She will be studying engineering.

Kidest Mebrahtu Hindea has just finished her studies at Atse Yohannes Secondary School in Mekele, Tigray, and will be studying computer science.

Kokeb Meseret will be studying computer science. He is another of the scholarship recipients in the diaspora, currently living in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Mestewat Matewos Sugebo, who comes from Awasa, in Ethiopia’s southern regions, is the only one of the scholarship recipients who will be pursuing a combined program in business and communications.

Shakir Fuad Mohammed will be studying communications. He graduated from Deder Senior Secondary School in Hararghe, and has studied at Addis Ababa University.

Tigist Tadesse, originally from Shoa province, has already completed a four-year program in accounting and bookkeeping, and will use her scholarship to study business.

Tilksew Assefa Tedla, currently residing in Germany, is one of Ethiopia’s excellent diaspora applicants. He has received a diploma from the Debre-Tabor Health Training School. He will be studying communications.

Wubshet Mekuria Amde comes from Addis Ababa. He is currently a resident of the former Haile Selassie I Children’s Home, and will be studying water resource management.

Yemesrach Tekola is originally from Addis Ababa, where she completed Yekatit Secondary School. She will be studying business and computer science. Ends