28 May 2013
Under the patronage of Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development, the University Leadership Council organises Forum on Role of Philanthropy in Sustainable Development

Dubai, 30 May 2013 Mr. Fouad Makhzoumi Chairman of Future Pipe Industries (FPI) and Founder of the Makhzoumi Foundation participated in a panel discussion at the "Philanthropy in Higher Education and Responsible Social Giving" Forum in Dubai on May 26, 2013.

This first-of-its-kind conference led to an exchange of ideas on socially responsible philanthropy, and explored philanthropy-led initiatives in higher education in the Arab World. The event was organised by the University Leadership Council (ULC) which was launched in January 2012 to provide a platform for collaboration and regionally relevant research and innovation.

Mr. Makhzoumi's panel entitled "Foundations in the Arab World: How Substantial a Role?" focused on the role of private philanthropic foundations and government organizations in supporting national development efforts. Other panellists were Mr. Abdullah Saeed Al Darmaki, CEO of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, Mr. Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares, Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation and Ms. Clare Woodcraft CEO of Emirates Foundation. The panel was moderated by Mr. Huw Gilbert, VP Corporate Affairs of PepsiCo Asia, Middle East and Africa.

Commenting on the role of philanthropy in education, Mr. Makhzoumi said: "It has become generally accepted across the West and increasingly in the Middle East that private businesses cannot be blind to the world around them and must have regard to the needs of the wider community in which they operate, and if a society is to progress and address the more fundamental needs of its population self-sufficiently, a proportion of its workforce must be educated to the highest level."

The Makhzoumi Foundation is involved in a diverse range of activities and initiatives, which provide assistance and relief to those in need and champion better living conditions for all by empowering them with skills and knowledge.  As part of its community outreach programs, the Foundation operates vocational training centres in Beirut, Tripoli and Baalbek, which provide Lebanese citizens with

opportunities for career advancement including language training, IT support, beauty courses, hardware skills and other relevant vocational training, over and above health care, micro credit, and other services.

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About The Makhzoumi Foundation
Makhzoumi Foundation is a private Lebanese non-profit organization, established in 1997 by Mr. Fouad Makhzoumi, and chaired by Mrs. May Makhzoumi. The foundation contributes through its programs to the civil society development by providing its services to Lebanese Citizens throughout Lebanon. Working on the premise that education and training are the building blocks for people to realise their true potential; the Makhzoumi Foundation has initiated several practical programs that have touched the lives of over 250,000 people of all ages and religious backgrounds within 16 years of work on the ground.

www.makhzoumi-foundation.org

About Future Pipe Industries
Future Pipe Industries (FPI) was established in 1984 and has since grown to become a global leader in anti-corrosive fiberglass pipe system design and manufacturing. FPI offers a complete product range and solutions to complex engineering projects for a wide variety of applications in the Oil & Gas, Marine, Industrial, and Infrastructure sectors. FPI currently operates 9 factories around the world with more than 3000 employees and serves more than 300 major customers in over 50 countries. 

http://www.futurepipe.com/en/ 

© Press Release 2013