A private college in the US is naming its archives after U.A.E. businessman and philanthropist Khalaf Al Habtoor.
Mr Al Habtoor donated Dh2.3million (US$600,000) to Illinois College in Jacksonville to create an archives for the private liberal-arts institution, as part of an initiative called ‘Preserve+Share+Produce', the college said on Tuesday.
The initiative is funded in part by a Dh734,600 ($200,000) grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, a US government grant agency.
Mr Al Habtoor's donation funds the relocation of the archives in the college library, compact shelving, a book scanner, furnishing and part of the funds needed to employ an archivist or curator.
Barbara Farley, the college's president, said she is "enormously grateful” for Mr Al Habtoor's commitment to the college.
"This is a wonderful gift for IC and a testament to the college's remarkable place in history,” she said.
A former US congressman and Illinois College alum, Paul Findley, introduced Mr Al Habtoor to the college, from which he has since received an honorary doctorate degree. Mr Al Habtoor also started an essay-writing competition in 2011 for students at the college on the topic, "Bridging the West and the Middle East.”
He has also supported other projects at the college, including the renovation of a hall that houses the Khalaf Al Habtoor Leadership Centre and the Paul Findley Congressional Museum. He also supports the Khalaf Al Habtoor Leadership Programme, which includes a lecture series also named after him. – The National -
Source: The National