Austin, Texas, USA – October 29, 2024 – Omar M. Masri, CEO, and Nidal Karyouti, COO, visited the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin (UT), reinforcing the long-standing partnership of the Munib & Angela Masri Foundation – Edgo’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm – and the university.
This visit honored a relationship dating back to the early 1950s when Munib R. Masri and Angela K. Masri, founders of the Foundation, graduated from UT with degrees in geology and earth sciences. The bond has since deepened, with Munib recognized as the only Arab inductee into the Jackson School’s prestigious Hall of Fame acknowledging his significant contributions to the field.
In 2020, the partnership developed significantly with a multi-million-dollar grant from the Foundation, establishing a century-long endowment at the Jackson School of Geosciences. This endowment funds the Masri Graduate Fellowship, providing scholarships for students from universities in Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon, supporting advanced research in water, land use, energy, climate, and environmental resilience. By fostering cross-cultural scientific collaboration, the endowment aims to address global challenges through innovative scientific research.
During their visit, Omar and Nidal met with Dr. Claudia Mora, Dean of the Jackson School of Geosciences, who assumed this post in February 2020. Dr. Mora has a rich and accomplished career having served at Los Alamos National Lab as group leader of the Earth Systems Observations Earth as well as the Environmental Sciences Division at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Their discussions centered on the transformative impact of the Masri Graduate Fellowship, progress on ongoing projects, and opportunities to further expand cross-cultural scientific collaboration.
Additionally, Omar and Nidal had the opportunity to meet Leena Abdulqader, the current recipient of the Masri Graduate Fellowship, to gain firsthand insight into the positive impact of the Foundation’s support. Omar expressed confidence in the meaningful contributions that Leena will make, stating that her achievements will bring pride to the Foundation and contribute to the field.
The visit also included productive discussions with Dr. Daniel Stockli, Chair of the Department of Earth, and Planetary Sciences; Dr. Andrew West, Chief Development Officer at the Jackson School of Geosciences; and Hafza Mahfooz, Senior Director of Principal Gifts at UT Austin. Their conversations explored current initiatives, potential collaborative opportunities, and avenues to further strengthen the relationship.
This visit reflects the Masri Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and fostering partnerships that enhance innovation and opportunities for emerging scientists in the Middle East. Through these engagements, the Foundation aims to maintain strong connections with academic institutions, ensuring sustained support for educational advancement and impactful research.