The Clinton Foundation, in collaboration with the Government of Haiti and the Faculty of Sciences (FDS) at the State University of Haiti (UEH), announced $7.3 million in funding to rebuild the main building at the Faculty of Sciences in Port-au-Prince. The funding comes from a $5.5 million from the Qatar Haiti Fund, as well as a $1.8 million from a grant with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

UEH is one of Haiti's leading higher education facilities and the nation's largest public university. The project to rebuild the University has been considered a priority by the Haitian government. Before the earthquake in 2010, UEH had 18 campuses in and around Port-au-Prince, supporting approximately 40,000 students.

"The construction and equipping of these two buildings is the result of a combined effort of the Haitian Government, the Clinton Foundation, the Qatar Haiti Fund, and the United Nations Office for Project Services," said Herisse Guirand of the Faculty of Sciences. "Students, teachers, and administrative staff sincerely thank all those who give hope that their environment of work will be improved soon."

"This project is of extreme importance to our country in the recovery of the January 12, 2010 earthquake," said Harry Adam with Unité de Construction de Logements et de Bâtiments Publics. "We need engineers to participate in the physical reconstruction of their country. Our students made sacrifices and withstand three year courses in unacceptable conditions; they deserve better."

"This project will help speed the nation’s rebuilding efforts with the engineering and development skills that students are learning at Haiti’s largest public university," said Laura Graham, Senior Advisor of Global Programs for the Clinton Foundation. "This funding will help rebuild the Faculty of Sciences main building, ensure better opportunities for education in Port-au-Prince, and strengthen the country's economic potential for generations to come."

The reconstruction of FDS will focus on creating a top quality, environmentally friendly building that will serve as an anchor for the FDS campus. The building will include classrooms, lab space and lecture halls and will benefit FDS students as well as the faculty and staff.

The Faculty of Sciences campus is located in downtown Port-au-Prince and provides degrees in engineering, architecture, civil engineering and electromechanical, as well as chemistry and topography. The FDS is the oldest science and engineering school in Haiti, and one of the oldest in the Caribbean. Many of the students studying at the FDS are from disadvantaged backgrounds and hope to build better lives for themselves through a strong educational foundation. FDS alumni are currently serving in leadership positions in government, utilities, and the private sector.

HL/ HaitiLibre