The Global Health Institute (GHI) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Meem Foundation, a UAE-based philanthropic organization, joined forces to create new pathways for women’s economic empowerment and community health through the Mobile University for Health (MUH), with the aim of driving lasting social impact, particularly among underserved communities. Through funding from the foundation, GHI will train 100 women from underserved communities as community health workers, adapt MUH’s certificate programs for digital delivery, and support continuous learning and peer exchange through a community of practice. The partnership will also create pathways to employment and economic participation for graduating women while strengthening access to health information and services within their communities.
The partnership was formalized at a signing ceremony held in Amman, Jordan, on October 6, 2026, bringing together Batool Hassan, executive director of the Meem Foundation, and Dr. Shadi Saleh, founding director of AUB GHI. Building on MUH’s model, which was piloted and evaluated between 2019 and 2022, the partnership is expected to expand the initiative’s reach and impact across underserved communities in Lebanon.
Launched in 2019, the Mobile University for Health is an evidence-based capacity-building initiative rooted in the communities it serves. It equips women from underserved communities with the health knowledge and practical skills needed to serve as community health workers and advocate for better health within their communities. MUH also brings graduates together through a community of practice, supporting them in sharing knowledge, translating their learning into community-level action, and strengthening connections between their communities and the health system.
Building on the network of 120 women who have graduated as community health workers from previous Mobile University for Health cohorts, this partnership will support the enrollment of 100 additional women from underserved communities in Lebanon in MUH’s certificate programs in women’s health and noncommunicable diseases. Both certificate programs will also be adapted for digital delivery, further expanding access to training and extending MUH’s reach. By equipping women to share health knowledge, promote healthier practices, and connect community members with health services, the initiative aims to create a ripple effect, with the potential to benefit thousands of people within their communities.
Beyond training, the partnership aims to facilitate the graduates’ access to employment through a dedicated employability unit. The unit will establish structured pathways and a digital platform to connect graduates with internships, volunteering opportunities, and paid community health worker roles. A dedicated digital resource hub will also provide continued access to learning materials and practical tools, supporting graduates’ ongoing development and community engagement beyond the training period.
By combining AUB GHI’s long-standing expertise in global health and community-based capacity building with the Meem Foundation’s commitment to women’s health and economic empowerment, this partnership will expand MUH’s reach and strengthen the foundations for lasting community impact. Through integrated opportunities for training, continued learning, and economic participation, the collaboration will support women in applying their knowledge, strengthening their livelihoods, and taking an active role in advancing health within their communities. Together, AUB GHI and the Meem Foundation aim to sustain a model in which investing in women’s capabilities contributes to healthier, more equitable communities.
About AUB
Founded in 1866, the American University of Beirut bases its educational philosophy, standards, and practices on the American liberal arts model of higher education. A teaching-centered research university, AUB has more than 800 full-time faculty members and a student body of over 9,700 students. AUB currently offers more than 140 programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, MD, and PhD degrees. It provides medical education and training to students from throughout the region at its Medical Center, which includes a full-service 365-bed hospital.
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About the Global Health Institute at AUB
The Global Health Institute (GHI) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) addresses global health challenges with a focus on context and sustainable impact by employing an interdisciplinary approach. GHI is structured into three divisions: the Programs Division, which leads research, policy, and advocacy efforts; the Academy Division, which provides capacity-building initiatives for diverse populations; and the ASSIST Division, which supports community-level actors, particularly nongovernmental organizations, with a range of services and resources.
About Meem Foundation
Meem Foundation is a philanthropic foundation dedicated to advancing opportunities for women and girls in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Through strategic philanthropy, the foundation supports initiatives that address gender inequality, with a focus on economic empowerment and access to safe health care and health awareness, and aims to create sustainable social impact for women and girls across the region.