Sheikha Intisar AlSabah: A Kuwaiti Philanthropist whose Generosity Transcends Borders

By Meera Shamma

In the midst of some of Lebanon’s most difficult times, LAU Board Member Sheikha Intisar AlSabah believes that education and community support are the only way forward.

Her Excellency Sheikha Intisar AlSabah, a Kuwaiti philanthropist, member of the LAU Board of Trustees, and loyal supporter of the institution, believes that education is the key to a brighter future. With this in mind, she recently made a substantial contribution to the university’s Emergency Financial Aid Fund to help students in their time of great need, aiming to better the outlook of their futures and that of the country as a whole.

“It is through education that we can bring prosperity and peace to Lebanon and the world,” said the 2017 Arab Woman of the Year Award recipient.

It is that education-focused mantra that has led her to do powerful work within the region, and to receive many accolades for it, including an Honorary Certificate from the United Nations (UN) in 2014. The praise she receives is due to her tireless efforts in social work and community development.

LAU Assistant Vice President for Development, Nassib N. Nasr, highlighted the impact her generosity has made on Lebanon’s future. “Her Excellency Sheikha Intisar has shown LAU incredible support that will help nourish the region with the competent, well-rounded future leaders it needs to progress in these difficult times,” he said.

Vowing to continue her community work for many years to come, because it is “a joy to see others thrive,” the key to doing so, said AlSabah, is through the continued backing of institutions of higher education, like LAU.

“I have seen, firsthand, the wonderful results of an LAU education. It fosters a nourishing environment for its students that enables them to better society as a whole,” she said.

Much of her work and philanthropy is focused on empowering youth, but AlSabah is also passionate about a range of other topics, including women empowerment and community enrichment through positive psychology practices to improve the livelihoods of communities in the region.

This passion has inspired her to found and manage numerous humanitarian and student-centric programs in Kuwait, such as Lulua Publishing, which produces publications focused on personal enrichment, The Intisar Foundation to support women, and the Alnowair positivity initiative, a youth-centric social responsibility program. She is also a member of the consultative board of the UN Development Programme bureau, among many other esteemed roles.

With an incredibly generous character, her recent donation to LAU’s Emergency Financial Aid Fund is not out of character for AlSabah. Remarkably committed to philanthropy, and passionate about equipping younger generations with the tools they need to lead the region to a more prosperous future, she embodies core aspects of the university’s mission, such as educating the whole person.

Her inspirational youth programs are based on scientific research relating to the field of positive psychology and social behavioral change from leading institutions around the world – including Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley. It is no surprise that AlSabah has become a pioneering advocate of positive psychology in the Middle East, which is still a budding concept in the MENA region.

“This is a time for us all to support our beloved Lebanon and the Arab world as a whole. We need to help each other, and our youth – by continuing to educate all of our citizens, thus bettering our future,” AlSabah concluded.

To support the LAU Emergency Financial Aid Fund, please visit the fund’s webpage at https://www.lau.edu.lb/emergency-fund/.